Now rub faster. That is what is happening to the particles in the upper atmosphere. Larger objects do not burn up completely. Surviving fragments fall through the atmosphere and land on Earth. Once one of these objects lands it is called a meteorite.
Most meteorites fall into Earth's oceans.
Stony meteorites are difficult to identify. They do not glow or give off radioactivity. Stones outnumber metals. But metallic meteorites are easier to find. Rarely are chunks of metal found lying about.