In our solar system there are many meteoroids, which sometimes collide with other celestial bodies, including the Earth. Many of the meteoroids that hit our planet never reach the earth's surface, as they burn through the atmosphere (becoming "meteors" - the so-called "shooting stars") until they pulverize. Some, however, manage to overcome the atmospheric layers and impact on the surface; these are called "meteorites". Would you like to have one of these treasures from outer space? You can go find them! The important thing is to know where to look, how to spot them and how to distinguish them from common terrestrial rocks.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Place
Step 1. Consult a database
Meteorite scientists and enthusiasts record all finds. On the internet you can find databases, such as that of the Meteoritical Society, which indicate which areas are the most meteorites. A great starting point for your search is to locate the "hotspot" closest to you.
Step 2. Choose an area with a hot, dry climate
Moisture deteriorates meteorites quickly enough; you will therefore be more likely to find one intact in places that remain hot and arid all year round, such as deserts. Dry lake beds are also great places to look.
For example, the highest number of meteorites in the world have been found in the Sahara
Step 3. Make sure you have permission to patrol the area
Before setting out to scour every inch of earth for meteorites, consider who owns the land where you want to conduct your research. If they are privately owned, you will need the owner's permission. Public land follows different rules, depending on the specific jurisdiction, but you will still need to ask for a permit.
- If the area you want to patrol is private, you must ask the owner for permission to access it.
- If the area is public (for example a park), you must ask the government agency that is in charge of it for permission to search for meteorites and, in the event that you find any, to keep them. Meteorites found in public areas could be considered artifacts and therefore belong to the state, not to those who found them.
Part 2 of 3: Look for Meteorites
Step 1. Purchase or build a magnetic stick for meteor research
From the name it may seem something very strange, but in reality it is nothing more than a stick with a magnet on one end. By touching the stones on the ground with this stick you can test their magnetic properties. If the magnet sticks to a rock, it is possible that it is a meteorite and therefore deserves further investigation.
Using a long stick you will not have to continually bend over each rock to bring the magnet closer and check if there is a magnetic interaction
Step 2. Find a good metal detector
You should get one that is suitable for looking for gold, because they are the most accurate. Go to the area where you intend to do your research and pass the metal detector coil on the ground to locate underground meteorites.
- Good quality used metal detectors cost between € 200 and € 350. It is not worth spending more money to buy a new one.
- Metal detectors are more sensitive than magnetic sticks, but also less comfortable. You should bring both.
Step 3. Bring a GPS device with you
It will serve two purposes: first, to keep track of your location in case you get lost; secondly, to mark where the meteorite fell, should I find one.
If you can find a meteorite, it is important to record where you spotted it; you can add it to the databases in order to contribute to the mapping of meteorites that have fallen on Earth
Step 4. Get ready to dig
Meteorites can be found on the surface, but the detector is also likely to pick up a signal from something buried deep in the ground. Take shovel and pickaxe with you to unearth potential meteorites.
Part 3 of 3: Identifying a Meteorite
Step 1. Test the magnetic properties of the rocks
It's a quick and easy thing to check: just hold a magnet near the stone to see if there is interaction; you can do this with the magnet located at the end of the stick. Most meteorites are magnetic.
Keep in mind that some terrestrial rocks also have magnetic properties
Step 2. Note the density of the rock
Due to the high iron and nickel content, meteorites are quite dense, often much denser than most terrestrial rocks. This means that they are heavier; pick up the rock that caught your attention and try to figure out if it weighs more than an ordinary stone of that size should weigh.
Step 3. Learn to recognize the typical characteristics of meteorites
They don't all look the same, but most have some distinctive traits; if the rock you are looking at has any, there is a good chance it is a meteorite. Here are four specific features to look out for:
- A metallic sparkle on the surface of the rock;
- Small rocky spheres attached to the surface, called "chondrules";
- An outer layer of black or brown color, called "fusion crust" (it develops due to the very high temperatures reached by the meteoroid as it passes through the atmosphere);
- Small dimples on the surface, similar to fingerprints, called "regmaglipti".
Step 4. Run the smear test
Take the stone and swipe it on a ceramic plate or sheet of paper. If it leaves a well-marked mark, it is probably a very normal terrestrial rock. If, on the other hand, no streak appears or leaves a very faint, gray one, it could be a meteorite.
The plates used in the smear technique are generally made of rough, unglazed ceramic. You can find them on the internet or in rock or mineral analysis kits
Advice
- Visit a science museum to better understand how meteorites are made.
- Bring plenty of food and water with you.
- If there isn't a museum in your area, you can try going to an online auction site to check out the various pieces. Most of the authentic meteorites for sale are classified and cataloged.
- Ask a friend to come with you. You could also go with two cars, to be sure you can count on a vehicle in case one of the two has problems with the car.
Warnings
- Bring an abundant supply of water; in arid environments you can dehydrate very quickly.
- Don't go looking for meteorites alone.
- Don't smuggle into a property to look for them.
- Don't steal them.
