micrometeorites

Micrometeorites are tiny particles from space, smaller than a grain of sand, that originate from meteoroids—small space rocks or debris—that burn up or break apart as they enter Earth's atmosphere. When these particles survive the fiery descent, they land on Earth’s surface, often mixed into dust and soil. Despite their small size, they carry clues about the composition of the early solar system. Scientists study micrometeorites to learn about cosmic materials and how space debris interacts with our planet.