A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the Earth's atmosphere to reach the surface. Meteorites are usually classified into three major categories: stony meteorites, which are composed mostly of silicate minerals; iron meteorites, which are primarily composed of metallic iron-nickel; and stony-iron meteorites, which contain large amounts of both metallic and rocky material.
Regarding their scent, meteorites can exhibit a distinctive odor when they are handled or freshly fallen. This smell is often described as a pungent, metallic scent similar to the odor of coins, or like the smell of a wet roadway or freshly struck match. This distinct aroma is due to the presence of volatile substances in the meteorite, such as sulfur compounds or other minerals that react with the Earth's atmosphere or the moisture on human skin. Some also suggest the scent could be partly attributed to extraterrestrial organic compounds that these space rocks may carry. Overall, the scent of a meteorite is a unique combination of earthly minerals and possibly cosmic chemistry.