What is the term for meteors that strike the ground?

The term for meteors that strike the ground is "meteorites." When a meteoroid— which is a small rock or particle from space—enter the Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor as it travels through the atmosphere and produces a bright streak of light. If that meteoroid survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on the Earth's surface, it is then classified as a meteorite.

This classification is significant in the study of cosmic materials, as meteorites can provide valuable information about the composition of other celestial bodies and the early solar system. Understanding this terminology helps distinguish between the different stages of a space rock's journey: meteoroid (in space), meteor (while in the atmosphere), and meteorite (after landing on Earth).