Meteorite or Meteor-wrong?
How to identify potential space rocks. Fusion crusts, magnetism, and nickel tests.
It's Probably Not a Meteorite
Meteorites are incredibly rare. 99.9% of the 'meteorites' people find are terrestrial rocks like slag, magnetite, or hematite. However, knowing what to look for increases your odds.
The Magnet Test
Most meteorites contain iron-nickel metal and will attract a magnet. If your rock isn't magnetic, it's almost certainly not a meteorite (with very rare exceptions like achondrites). However, many earth rocks are also magnetic, so this is just the first test.
Fusion Crust
As a meteor screams through the atmosphere, the outer surface melts, forming a thin, glassy, black rind called a fusion crust. It may also have 'thumbprints' or regmaglypts—shallow depressions caused by melting.
Density and Nickel
Meteorites are much denser (heavier) than typical earth rocks due to their metal content. The definitive test is chemical: meteoritic iron always contains nickel, whereas terrestrial iron usually does not. A simple nickel test kit can help verify a potential find.