How do you recognize a real meteorite?

Meteorites are fascinating because of their extraterrestrial origin and rarity. But how can you be sure that a rock you find or buy is a real meteorite? Many fake meteorites circulate on the market, or are simply ordinary terrestrial rocks. To avoid being fooled, there are several key tests and characteristics to identify a real meteorite.

1. Exterior appearance: a characteristic molten crust

When a real meteorite passes through the atmosphere, the intense heat creates a thin black layer called the fusion crust. This crust is usually smooth, sometimes cracked, and may show indentations called “regmaglyptes”. A terrestrial rock does not have this appearance. If you see a homogeneous blackish crust and rounded cavities on the surface, this may be a good sign.

2. Unusual weight

Real meteorites are often denser than terrestrial rocks due to their high metal content. If your rock seems unusually heavy for its size, this can be a good indicator. An iron-type meteorite will be extremely dense, while a chondrite will be denser than an ordinary terrestrial rock.

3. Magnet attraction

Most real meteorites contain iron and nickel, making them magnetic. A simple magnet can help you check whether your sample reacts to magnetic attraction. Note that some iron-rich terrestrial rocks may also be magnetic.

4. A metallic or mottled interior color on a real meteorite

If you cut or file a real meteorite, you may observe a metallic or mottled internal texture, due to the presence of extraterrestrial metals and minerals. Chondrites often reveal metallic inclusions in the form of small, shiny spots.

5. The presence of chondrules (for certain meteorites)

Chondrites, a common type of true meteorite, contain small spherules called chondrules. These millimetric structures, visible to the naked eye or under a magnifying glass, are absent from terrestrial rocks. They result from the crystallization of materials present in the primitive solar nebula.

6. The absence of bubbles on a real meteorite

Unlike some volcanic rocks, real meteorites have no cavities or bubbles. A porous rock is highly unlikely to be a meteorite. Industrial slag, often mistaken for meteorite, usually contains bubbles.

7. A chemical test to confirm authenticity

Real iron-rich meteorites contain nickel, which is often absent from terrestrial rocks. A chemical test using dimethylglyoxime reagent can detect the presence of this metal and confirm the authenticity of the sample.

8. Have your meteorite analyzed in France

If you think you’ve found a real meteorite, you can have it analyzed at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle in Paris or at CEREGE (Centre Européen de Recherche et d’Enseignement en Géosciences de l’Environnement) in Aix-en-Provence. These institutes have experts capable of confirming a meteorite’s authenticity.

9. Example of a famous meteorite: Campo del Cielo

The Campo del Cielo meteorite, which fell in Argentina several thousand years ago, is one of the most famous. Composed mainly of iron and nickel, it displays the typical characteristics of true iron meteorites: high density, magnetic reaction and clearly visible regmaglyptes.

Conclusion

Recognizing a real meteorite is based on several key criteria: molten crust, high density, magnetism, internal metallic structure and absence of bubbles. If you think you’ve found a real meteorite, have it analyzed by an expert to confirm its authenticity.

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