Q&A for How to Tell if the Rock You Found Might Be a Meteorite

Go a bit deeper, perhaps do a cross section to view the interior; otherwise, a slice-by-slice scan may be necessary.

Yes. Dating may be required to show age and authenticity; the magnet test is only one of the required observations in determining if your meteorite is authentic or from Earth. Follow through with all that you can, as Earth rocks are often mistaken for meteorites.

My piece smells rusty and a bit burnt due to the iron content and being subjected to intense heat while entering the earth's atmosphere.

Yes. Meteorites can land anywhere, or fragments can break off during entry to the atmosphere and land elsewhere.

No, they will not.

Yes, they can. The heaviest lunar meteorite was "Big Muley," sample number 61016, later named in honor of Professor Muehlberger by Charlie Duke. It weighs 25.8 earth pounds (11.7 kilograms), but only 4.3 moon pounds (1.95 kilograms).

You should look into any website your state may have, or try contacting geology professors at any local colleges/universities. If all else fails, look for nearby scientific laboratories that study meteorites or other rocks.

A normal meteorite (without iron) is worth about 50 cents a gram. If the meteorite has iron, it is worth about $1.50 a gram.

No, they don't. If your rock has little bubbles in it, then it is not a meteorite.

Yes, they could. Periodot or the greenish crystals that have been found in meteorites (Olivine's atomic name) are sometimes magnetic and they do fluoresce, which I believe iron causes this.

Probably not. While rare meteorites like angrites (and I've even seen this in some lunars) can have glass-lined vugs, I am unaware of any meteorites that have flecks of material that look like obsidian. An exception is the rare NWA 6693 meteorite and its pairings - a green crystalline achondrite meteorite that under a microscope shows many small clear and black, obsidian-like crystals, but these are small and do not look like large flecks visible to the naked eye.

Many lunar meteorites look very similar to certain terrestrial breccias, so analysis at a meteorite classification lab is the best way to know for sure. Many universities can do SEM/EDAX analysis that can give a pretty good indicator as well, as there are a few unique minerals in lunar meteorites.

A magnet attracts stone and metal meteorites, but also some terrestrial material (like slag). However, while nickel is rare in Earth metals (2% is considered high grade ore), nickel in iron-nickel meteorites starts around 6% and can go higher than 30%. A $30 eBay nickel test kit, if positive, is a really good sign it's an iron-nickel meteorite. Also, slicing and polishing one face, then etching it with dilute nitric acid (never muriatic - the chlorine will cause it to oxidize later) will show patterns called Widmanstatten lines that only develop when metals cool very slowly in space. However, rare ataxite meteorites don't show these patterns, so that's not a perfect test.

Any jagged edges on a stone meteor will be smoothed by burning as it streaks through our atmosphere. However, stone meteorites that have been on the ground for a long time can weather and fracture, leaving sharp edges. "Dimpling" can be regmaglypts, which are unique to meteorites, but their shapes are quite distinctive. Look at Randy Korotov's website for a good description and set of pictures for dimples representative of meteorites.

Most stone meteorites come from the asteroid belt and are parts of a failed planet that was starting to differentiate into a metal core and separate mantle and crust material. Consequently, stone meteorites can span a large range of colors, just like terrestrial stones. They can range from light grays and tans through dark browns, reddish-browns and black (the latter is mostly shock-melt).

Many meteorite dealers will pay wholesale prices for already-classified meteorites, or less for non-classified material that is clearly a meteorite (knowledgeable people will recognize chondrules that are unique to most stone meteorites and telltale characteristics of metal meteorites - but don't be disappointed if they don't think yours really is one). Unclassified stone meteorites at international meteorite shows start in the $0.10 to $0.25 per gram range, with metal meteorites starting at $0.50 to $1.00 per gram. You can also try eBay.

There are two main types of stony meteorite: chondrites (some of the oldest materials in the solar system) and achondrites (including meteorites from asteroids, Mars and the Moon). Both chondrites and achondrites have many subgroups based on their compositions, structures and the minerals they contain.

Go to the the Smithsonian museum in D.C. It has a great selection to check out.

Meteorites do NOT have crystals. They cannot form them, especially if they are burning up on the way to earth.

If you suspect it's a meteorite, don't touch it without gloves. Get it tested and compare it to photos of known meteorites.

Do the individual tests at home (such as the ones mentioned above) so that you aren't wasting anyone's time with just a common rock. If you're still not sure, look online for a professional who's willing to test it.

Yes, they can be just light brown with a little red from being on Earth for a long time. Black is very fresh from Earth. Grey you would find on rare types of meteors or they have been on Earth forever.

Yes indeed magnets do stick to the fusion crust of a meteorite. Mostly 95% of meteorites (irons and ordinary chondrites attract to cheap magnets because they contain iron-nickel metal. However, lunar and Martian meteorites contain little or no metal, so they are not magnetic. Also some terrestrial rocks contain magnetite, which is magnetic, magnetite can be sometimes be mistaken for a suspected meteorite.

A black meteorite has a black smooth fusion crust that formed from falling through the atmosphere and landing on the Earth's surface.

Check for local university, museum, or other community services with meteorite identification services first. If you don't have any community meteorite services near you, go to Aerolite meteorite identification, Geolabs.com, and other such websites that can guide you to identifying the meteorite identified. A professional geologist will be able to certify it as a meteorite.

A meteorite that is high in iron content can be shiny like iron metal, but it won't be a mirror finish unless something was done to it. It can weigh as much as iron would. Iron meteorites usually have a black base color, with rust (especially in any pits) with shiny spots being on raised areas like points, bumps, and corners. If handled frequently, iron meteorites become more shiny because of the oils in people's hands that clean off the rust and black buildup.

It could land on the shore, so yes. As they are typically very heavy, it would not be moved by the waves but might sink into sand and be covered by sand over time.

Yes, that is possible. A meteorite can be found anywhere on Earth––the rock doesn't try to land in a certain place when it falls from the sky!

University of Arizona used to check them for $35 and a sample. But since 95% were "meteorwrongs," they ceased that program. Usually it will cost nothing for a quick look at your alleged meteor at a gem and mineral show.

Try one of the following options: Go to a rock shop; attend a gem and mineral show (these are usually sponsored by a gem and mineral club); go to a rock club or geological society meeting; or visit a museum and ask to see the collection staff.