Scientists map seven stages of a meteoroid's fall to Earth

Researchers at the SETI Institute and NASA Ames analyzed video and photos of 75 meteorite falls and identified seven stages a space rock goes through on entry. Melting and fragmentation, not evaporation, dominate mass loss: melting can strip up to 40% of the rock, and breakup starts at about one-fifth of meteorite strength.

• Footage of 75 meteorite falls was analyzed, yielding seven stages
• Melting can remove up to 40% of the original rock's mass
• Fragmentation begins at about one-fifth of meteorite strength
• Fastest rotating meteors completed a turn in 0.5–5 seconds