Final answer:
Meteorites are fragments of asteroids from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter that survive their passage through Earth's atmosphere and reach the planet's surface. They provide unique insights into the solar system's early history and its dynamic nature, where asteroid collisions continually produce new Near-Earth Asteroids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fragments of asteroids in the asteroid belt that reach Earth's surface after being ejected from their original location are known as meteorites. These meteorites originate mainly from the asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. Collisions between asteroids in this region can send fragments into orbits that cross Earth's path, possibly leading to meteorites falling to our planet's surface.
This process is part of the dynamic and ongoing evolution of our solar system, where Earth-approaching asteroids, or Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs), can be impacted by or ejected from their current orbits. As older asteroids are removed from near-Earth space, new fragments must replenish the population. The main source of these fragments is the asteroid belt, where asteroid collisions produce new NEAs.
Once a fragment enters Earth's atmosphere, it may burn up, creating a bright streak in the sky known as a meteor. If the fragment survives its journey through the atmosphere and lands on Earth, it is termed a meteorite. Meteorites provide a significant insight into the formation and early history of our solar system, offering valuable information about the conditions and materials present during its inception.