Identifying meteorites is really part detective work and part observation. While professional researchers use high-tech labs, you can do a really good preliminary job when you're out in the field with a good eye test, a magnet, a file, and an un-glazed ceramic tile. By applying these simple tests, you can begin to separate out the majority of meteor-wrongs from possible found meteorites. This hands-on approach builds your foundation of meteorite hunting skills and by training yourself to recognize specific features, textures, and minerals you will soon pass over many meteor-wrongs instead of picking them up and testing.
Meteorite Quiz
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Select which one is a Meteorite? (1 of 5)
Stone A
✓ This was the correct answer
This is not a meteorite. It is a terrestrial black rock with an interesting surface that could be confused with a meteorite. Meteorite fusion crust is often textured and sometimes slightly bubbly. The best indication that this is not a meteorite is the presence of layers in the rock. Meteorites form in outer space. Without gravity there can be no creation of layering.
Stone B
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This is a real meteorite. It has a surface smoothed by wind and abrasion. This is called residual fusion crust. There are several pits on the exterior. The mostly black color does have small patches of brown caused by rusting of nickel iron grain scattered through the matrix of the meteorite.
Select which one is a Meteorite? (2 of 5)
Stone A
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This is a true meteorite. It has a slightly weathered fusion crust that is now smooth. The cracks are a common feature of stone meteorites. They are often seen on fresh meteorites a result of the cooling of the fusion crust. Stone meteorites have a lumpy surface caused by the round chondrule structures they contain.
Stone B
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This is not a meteorite but is instead a Saffordite. These stones are obsidian. Because they are very black when seen on the ground and have a bumpy surface they look similar to stone meteorites and tektites. However, Saffordite are often transparent when held up to light. With the exception of rare pallasites, meteorites are not transparent. They are a volcanic natural glass.
Select which one is a Meteorite? (3 of 5)
Stone A
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This is a genuine meteorite. It is a fragment which has broken from a larger meteorite over time. It is now brown in color. This fragmentation is a common occurrence. The iron found in almost all meteorites rusts in the Earth environment. The iron grains swell as they rust cracking and breaking down the stone until after ages it becomes unrecognizable.
Stone B
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This is hematite another terrestrial iron mineral that is usually attracted to a magnet. It is often dark black but can be dark brown also. When ground it creates a red powder called rouge. It was used in make up and as the color used for cave paintings. But is not meteoritic. Stone meteorites nearly always create a brown powder when ground.
Select which one is a Meteorite? (4 of 5)
Stone A
✓ This was the correct answer
This is a common terrestrial mineral called Magnetite. It is an iron rich mineral that is often black and responds to a magnet. It can also like this specimen have a brown weathered exterior. Some specimens of magnetite show crystal structure. It is a rock frequently mistaken for a meteorite.
Stone B
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This is a corner of a meteorite showing weathered fusion crust and the darkened brown color. The color has changed from being on Earth for several thousand years. This is a common appearance for many meteorites found in desert areas.
Select which one is a Meteorite? (5 of 5)
Stone A
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This is an agate like rock with a black surface. It has a look of slag that can be confused for a meteorite on most its surface. The area of botryoidal agate that is tan colored is a give away that it is not slag or meteorite. The black bumpy surface on terrestrial rocks is often confused with true meteorites. Agate will not react to a magnet.
Stone B
✓ This was the correct answer
Meteorites receive a fusion crust passing through the atmosphere. Most stony meteorites have a black fusion crust when freshly fallen. Over time the fusion crust will weather and change color. It becomes more brown as water enters the meteorites rusting the iron grains of the space rock. Over time a patina called desert varnish can also form on meteorites darkening the stone. Caliche a calcium deposit like cement can also form. A small amount is seen on this meteorite.
