An iron meteorite is a type of meteorite primarily composed of iron and nickel. These meteorites originate from the cores of differentiated asteroids that broke apart in the early solar system. When they enter Earth's atmosphere, they can survive the intense heat and pressure, landing as solid metal fragments. Iron meteorites are often characterized by their metallic luster and unique crystalline structures, known as Widmanstätten patterns, which can be seen when the meteorite is cut and polished. They are valuable to scientists for studying the formation of the solar system and the processes that shaped planetary bodies like Earth.