They can perform further tests, like chemical analysis, to confirm its origin. If you've reached this point and suspect you might have a meteorite, consult a geologist or meteorite expert. Plate?” If not, you may have a meteorite. Does your sample cause a streak on a “streak If the sample is magnetic and leaves aīlack or gray streak, then it might be the common terrestrial iron-oxide Leaves a red/orange line, then the sample is probably a common mineral If you drag your sample across this “streak plate,” and it Meteorites might leave a reddish streak if they have been oxidized Most meteorites won’t leave a streak, but the surfaces of some Does your sample contain chondrules? If it does, you might have a meteorite. Some sedimentary and volcanic rocks can have spherical particles that look somewhat like chondrules. Chondrules: These tiny, round balls of minerals are unique to meteorites and indicate their extraterrestrial origin. Look for ChondrulesĬhondrules are tiny, spherical beads of molten rock found in some meteorites. Look for shiny metallic specks within the rock, especially on a freshly broken surface. Most meteorites contain at least some metal. So, just because something is magnetic, it doesn't mean that it is a meteorite. But remember that a lot of normal rocks on the Earth are also magnetic. Is a magnet attracted to the surface of your sample? If so, you might have a meteorite. Magnetic Properties - A lot of meteorites contain shiny iron-nickel metal grains or consist largely of iron-nickel metal. Does it feel heavier than a rock of similar size?ĭo you have something very dense such that it could be a meteorite? But remember that not all meteorites are dense. Look for sharp edges and minimal erosion.ĭensity: Meteorites typically have a lot of metal tend to be very dense compared to regular rocks. Unlike most rocks, meteorites often resist weathering due to their dense composition. Does your sample have Regmaglypt texture/thumbprints? If Which can vary in size from less than a centimeter up to as much as 10Ĭentimeters. Most meteorite samples have these thumbprints called “regmaglypts,” Making it look like someone put thumbprints into clay. This leaves a bunch of small dents in the surface of the rock, Than others, almost like someone is taking little scoops of material The exterior shows no characteristics of being a meteorite, quite the opposite. When the surface of the meteorite begins to melt during entry into theĪtmosphere, some areas of the meteorites are eroded by the melting more Likely a mixture of hematite/magnetite or maybe even some lead sulfides. Small patches of fusion crust can sometimes Meteorites, but the crusts are fragile and can weather away from samples Fusion crusts are present on freshly fallen Iron meteorites may show evidence of melted metal on their surface, but So hot that the outer surface begins to melt, which produces a thinīlack/brown coating on the surface of the rock called a fusion crust. When a meteorite is falling through the atmosphere, it begins to heat upīecause of the extreme compression of the atmosphere.
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