This is why a freshly fallen meteorite will exhibit a black fusion crust.Ĭommonly, meteorites contain a significant amount of iron and nickel, so testing the rock with a magnet is the first step for meteorite hunters. Just after a meteorite falls, the stone tends to appear darker than common terrestrial rocks. During its brief travel through our atmosphere, the surface of the meteorite is melted, as a result the surface of the stone burns and forms a kind of skin (usually dark) called fusion crust. The density of meteorites is quite a bit higher than most others, so a meteorite feels much heavier than almost all ordinary earth rocks (excepted some basaltic stone).Īfter the weight, this is the second reason people think they have found a meteorite. This is the most common reason people think they have found a meteorite. Many of them are common stones found on Earth, such as magnetite, hematite and sometimes man-made piece of iron named slag that have oxidized. Unfortunately from year to year there, only one of these rocks turns out to be a real space rock. The first question is "Did you find a meteorite?"Īs owner of a web site entirely dedicated to meteorites I receive inquiries by email from people who think they have found a meteorite, daily. Here are some simple steps to help you identify a meteorite. Meteorite Identification with pictures, meteorite valueand meteorite classificationindex.
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