Meteorite Identification
Is it a meteorite? Learn about types of meteorites and how you can identify them!
This activity works well at an activity booth, with a small group, or as a part of a larger collection of activity stations.
What You Need
- 5-8 numbered rock samples, with one or two being actual meteorites (optional)
- “Is it a Meteorite?” answers, created based on your samples (optional)
- A few magnets
- A magnifying glass or hand lens
- Is it a meteorite? images
- Meteorite Identification task card
Safety Notes
If any of your rock or meteorite samples are heavy, be sure to let participants know before they pick them up (you may want to make a sign for this), or have them on the table for display only. Rocks and meteorites that contain nickel and iron can be deceivingly heavy!
Avoid using very strong and/or small magnets, as these could be hazardous for young children.
What To Do
Based on learners’ prior knowledge, decide what level of information of detail you want to cover.
- Ask, "Do you know what a meteorite is ?" Discuss what meteorites are and where they come from.
- Using the Meteorite Identification Information card, discuss the types of meteorites and what characteristics researchers use in identification.
- Learners can then look at each image, and physical samples to determine whether or not they think it is a meteorite or not.
- Share the answers.
Discovery
Meteorites are the pieces of space debris that make it through our atmosphere and land on Earth.
We have asteroids out in space (the smaller pieces are called meteoroids). When a meteoroid hits the atmosphere, it ablates creating heat which we see as a meteor. We get close to 100 tones of space debris that reaches the Earth each day, most of which burns up in the atmosphere. But occasionally something large enough comes along (>25m) and pieces make it to the ground and are called meteorites.
- Meteorites provide clues about what the early solar system was like over 4 billion years ago when they formed.
- Studying meteorites helps us to better understand how planets and asteroids formed, and how impacts of large meteorites could affect our future.
What's Happening?
Meteorites are the pieces of space debris that make it through our atmosphere and land on Earth.
We have asteroids out in space (the smaller pieces are called meteoroids). When a meteoroid hits the atmosphere, it ablates creating heat which we see as a meteor. We get close to 100 tones of space debris that reaches the Earth each day, most of which burns up in the atmosphere. But occasionally something large enough comes along (>25m) and pieces make it to the ground and are called meteorites.
Why Does it Matter?
- Meteorites provide clues about what the early solar system was like over 4 billion years ago when they formed.
- Studying meteorites helps us to better understand how planets and asteroids formed, and how impacts of large meteorites could affect our future.