How to Tell if the Rock You Found Might Be a Meteorite

Grab a refrigerator magnet., Try to determine if the rock is significantly heavier than other rocks of the same size., Examine the outer skin of the rock., If the crust is more than a couple of millimeters thick, it's not a meteorite. , File or sand...

32 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Grab a refrigerator magnet.

See if the rock is attracted to the magnet.

Most, but not all, meteorites will be attracted to a magnet.

Step 2: Try to determine if the rock is significantly heavier than other rocks of the same size.

Again, many meteorites are heavy for their size. , Meteorites will have a "Fusion Crust" that usually has a darker color than the interior of the rock. ,, Is the inner color a metallic steel color? If so, it might be a Nickel-Iron meteorite. , A meteorite will leave a weak or light streak.

If it makes a red or brown streak, it's not a meteorite. , If it has these, it's not a meteorite.

It's probably a piece of industrial slag, or a volcanic rock. , Commonly known as "Thumbprints"

these are impressions on the outer surface of a meteor that look like the thumbprints you might make in a piece of clay.,, If it does not scratch, it's probably not a meteorite. ,, You may have a meteorite.

Step 3: Examine the outer skin of the rock.

Step 4: If the crust is more than a couple of millimeters thick

Step 5: it's not a meteorite.

Step 6: File or sand a side or corner of the rock.

Step 7: Do a "streak test".Rub the rock on a piece of unglazed ceramic (The back of a ceramic tile

Step 8: or the rough bottom of a coffee cup).

Step 9: Look for holes or bubbles in the rock.

Step 10: Look for regmaglypts.

Step 11: If it's long and skinny

Step 12: angular

Step 13: spherical

Step 14: square

Step 15: or rectangular

Step 16: it's not a meteorite.

Step 17: Try to scratch it with a knife blade.

Step 18: If it has layers

Step 19: it's not a meteorite.

Step 20: If you have a rock with several meteorite characteristics (Fusion Crust

Step 21: "Thumbprints"

Step 22: magnetism

Step 23: metallic appearance

Step 24: softer than a knife blade

Step 25: weak or no streak)

Step 26: and none of the non-meteorite characteristics (Bubbles

Step 27: wrong shape

Step 28: layers

Step 29: thick crust or no crust

Step 30: harder than a knife blade

Step 31: red or brown streak)

Step 32: see an expert.

Detailed Guide