I found a magnetic stone. Is it a meteorite?

The vast majority of magnetic stones found on Earth are not meteorites.

 

Finding a magnetic stone can be exciting, but determining if it's a meteorite requires careful analysis. Meteorites are extraterrestrial rocks that have survived their journey through Earth's atmosphere. They often contain iron-nickel metal, which can make them magnetic, but in itself, the magnetic test falls far short of determining whether a given sample is a meteorite.

 

To identify a meteorite, consider these characteristics:

  • Magnetism: While many meteorites are magnetic due to their metal content, terrestrial rocks like magnetite and hematite can also be magnetic. Use a strong magnet to test the stone's magnetism.
  • Density: Meteorites are typically denser than most Earth rocks. Compare the weight of your stone to a similarly sized terrestrial rock.
  • Fusion Crust: Meteorites often have a thin, dark, glassy crust formed as they burn through the atmosphere. Look for this fusion crust on your stone.
  • Chondrules: Some meteorites, particularly chondrites, contain small, round particles called chondrules. These are not found in Earth rocks.
  • Streak Test: Scratch the stone on a ceramic tile. Meteorites usually leave a gray streak, while Earth rocks like hematite leave a reddish streak.
  • Regmaglypts: These thumbprint-like indentations are common on meteorites due to atmospheric ablation.

 

For a definitive identification, consider consulting a professional geologist or a university's earth and planetary science department. They can perform tests like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze the stone's composition.

 

For more information, refer to resources from the Meteoritical Society or publications like 'Meteorites and Their Parent Planets' by Harry Y. McSween. These sources provide detailed insights into meteorite identification and classification.


Disclaimers;
Information changes as science develops and new discoverioes are made in the field of meteoritics. If you find any information in our FAQs to be incorrect or in need of alteration or elaboration, please let us know using the Contact tab at the top of this page.
Because of the volume and variation of questions that we have needed to cover whilst compiling our FAQs, we have enlisted the help of GPTs that we have created and trained using a host of academic and specialist resources since early 2024. Results are checked, edited, and altered as required. Again, if you think any changes or adaptations should be made, please contact us using the above tab.