what should you do if you find a meteorite?

Question

i found a heavy rock that doesn't look like anything else around here,its black,and has a shine. any help?

Answer 1

Most rocks thought to be meteorites are not. There are what they call "meteorwrongs". I found a rock myself that's all metal and rather heavy. That's how I found this site. You could also take it to a museum. Someone there will know. Take a look at these pictures.
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Answer 2

Its not a easy job to identify any rock as a meteorite. One of the first characteristics is that most meteorites are metalic and heavy. Some may be half stone and rest metal. They are also more denser than other rocks found in the same region. Your above rock passes these two tests.

Next, 90% of the meteorites attract magnets. Please note, the refrigerator magnets are weak. You need something stronger. You can use the ferrite magnets from old speakers, or alnico magnets that you use in schools or even the niodium magnets from PC Hard disks. Or you can even buy one. If this stone attracts a magnet, that you half way on the mark. In case it doesnt, try hanging the manget on the string and see if this stone attacts it.

If its a whole stone, some kind of impression what we call fusion crust are visible on most meteorites. If there small holes, then it might not be a meteorite.

Finally, go to the toilet, lift the seat & cover and rub the stone on the ceramic surface of the toilet. If the stone does not crease or leave an powder, the most probably you have a rock from space in your hand. Try to get it analysed in a reputed lab immediately.

Best wishes.

Answer 3

Maybe you really did find a meteorite, maybe you didn't. You can look here to see a lot of rocks that turned out not to be meteorites and a few that turned out to really be meteorites.

http://epsc.wustl.edu/admin/resources/meteorites/meteorwrongs/meteorwrongs.htm

Sometimes a person who specializes in meteorites can tell readily whether or not the rock is a meteorite just by looking at it. Other times the rock needs to be examined closer and it's composition analyzes. Follow the links on that website for more information.

Answer 4

You need to buy an old lockpox, like at a yard sale or something, preferably creepy looking. Put the rock in the lockbox, lock it, then find a hardwood floor, preferably in your own house, but an abandoned school or mental health facility will do as well. Pull up a floorboard and find a place to stash the rock. Now get a string or a chain (preferably a cool shiny chain) and use it to wear the key as a necklace. Don't tell anyone about the rock, but make sure to visit it at least once a month, just open the box, peer in and admire it for only a moment before quickly stashing it away again. Make sure you weren't followed because it is highly likely that the government already knows you have the rock and will try to get it from you, but if you follow my directions closely it should be safe.

Enjoy, you now most likely have super powers... the only thing left to do is figure out what powers you have. I hope it's x-ray vision. Thats the holy grail of super powers. Please keep us updated!

Answer 5

Meteoroids strike Earths environment by the masses daily. basically some make it to advance right into a meteorite each and every 365 days. Meteorites won't be able to be envisioned 3 years ahead on account that maximum are the dimensions of a grain of sand. in case you mean asteroid, then asteroids have names. humorous how yours lacks one. Parroting fake hoax gossip will basically make you look like a fool on a technology communicate board.

Answer 6

If it's big and heavy, you can forget about it being a meteorite. When I was a kid, I found one of these, smooth black rock almost 6" across. Hit it with a hammer, and it fell apart. It was hollow, with many crystals inside.
Meteorites can look like anything including melted green glass.

Answer 7

It's very probably not a meteorite. There are numerous rocks, and minerals, that could be described as "heavy, black, shiny". Is it hard? Is it tarnished? Is it magnetic? Does it have any texture (crystals, grains, etc, or is it smooth?). Give us some more clues (like where did you find it?). My guess is that it's most likely some kind of iron based mineral (haematite, magnetite, etc), although there are any number of other possibilities (silicate minerals, volcanic or igneous rock) from the little we know so far.

Answer 8

Take it to a local natural history museum or contact your local university's geological department. They should be able to help you. If it is a meteorite then sell it for loads of dosh!

Answer 9

Isnt it called Coal!! By the way Killie and the Saints, we have a mutual acquaintance!

Answer 10

Take it to a main museum and make sure what it is.