The first thing to clear-up here is the difference between 'being magnetic', and 'attracting a magnet'. The two are quite different. Something that is magnetic attacts metals like iron to it, whereas in-itself it won't necessarily be because it wont attract another piece of iron sitting next to it.
Meteorites are not magnetic, but many will attract a magnet due to their iron-nickel content.
Meteorites are broadly classified into three categories: stony, iron, and stony-iron.
The magnetic attraction of meteorites is primarily due to the presence of iron-nickel alloys, such as kamacite and taenite. These alloys are ferromagnetic, meaning they can be magnetized and are attracted to magnets. According to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences department, the presence of these metals is a key factor in determining a meteorite's magnetic characteristics.
However, some stony meteorites, like carbonaceous chondrites and some achondrites like Aubrite, may contain little or no metal, making them weakly attracted to magnets magnetic or not attracted at all. The degree of attraction can vary significantly even within the same type of meteorite, depending on its specific composition and the amount of metallic content.
The American Meteorological Society notes that while magnetic attraction is a useful tool for identifying potential meteorites, it is by no means definitive. Many terrestrial rocks and man-made materials can also attract magnets, leading to false identifications. Therefore, additional tests, such as density measurements and mineralogical analysis, are often necessary to confirm a meteorite's authenticity.
In summary, while many meteorites attrract magnets due to their metallic content, not all exhibit this property. Understanding the composition and classification of meteorites is crucial for accurate identification and study.
