Where in the world?
Meteorites can land anywhere. But some places are easier to find them in than others. Let's look at a map of the world.
- Find Antarctica and Africa on a world map.
- Say why dark meteorites are easy to spot on ice and sand.
- Know that meteorites are named after places.
Links to: Geography: naming the continents and identifying hot and cold areas of the world; maths: counting.
Cold and white
Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth. It is covered in ice. A dark meteorite on white ice is easy to spot, like a raisin on a plate of rice. Scientists go there every year to look for meteorites.
Hot and sandy
Deserts are hot and dry. The Sahara is a huge desert in Africa. A dark meteorite on pale sand is easy to see, and the dry air keeps it safe for a very long time.
Named after a place
Every meteorite is named after the place where it was found. A meteorite fell in a town called Winchcombe in England in 2021, so it is called Winchcombe. It landed on a family's driveway!
Counting continents
There are 7 continents. Meteorite hunters have visited 4 of them this year. How many are left to visit?
- Start at 7.
- Count back 4: 6, 5, 4, 3.
Answer: 3 continents are left to visit.
Look at a world map or globe with a grown-up. Find Antarctica and colour it white or light blue. Find the Sahara Desert in Africa and colour it yellow. Then find where you live and draw a star there.
Quiz
5 questions. Choose an answer to see whether you are right and why. Finish the quiz to complete the lesson.
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Question 1What is Antarctica covered in?
Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth and is covered in ice.
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Question 2Why are meteorites easy to see in Antarctica?
A dark rock stands out clearly on white ice.
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Question 3Which continent is the Sahara Desert in?
The Sahara is a huge desert in Africa.
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Question 4How do meteorites get their names?
Meteorites are named after the place where they fell or were found.
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Question 5There are 7 continents. If you visit 2, how many are left?
7 take away 2 is 5.