From time to time, I hear the news that a meteorite I accidentally picked up has been priced at an exorbitant price. Let’s say you find an unusual stone on a walk. How to tell if this is an ordinary stone or a meteorite from space?
Meteorites are largely divided into iron meteorites which contain iron and nickel alloys, stony iron meteorites which contain iron and nickel alloys and silicate minerals, and stony meteorites which mainly contain silicates. It is mainly classified into these three types according to its structure or chemical properties, and there are more types in detail.
In fact, there are several relatively easy ways for ordinary people to determine whether a roadside stone is a meteorite. First of all, it’s weight and magnetism. To determine if a stone is a meteorite, first check its weight. Because meteorites contain high-density materials such as iron, they are often heavy compared to their appearance.
Also, if a magnet sticks to a rock, it’s likely a meteorite. It should be noted, however, that there are exceptions, and that there are also very rare meteorites that are not magnetic.
Unlike rocks formed on earth, meteorites leave traces of melting. This is because they fall through the Earth’s atmosphere from space. The shape of the surface of the meteorite due to the tremendous frictional heat is variable. It is common for some parts to have melted extremely smoothly, or for some parts to melt unevenly and fall off.
In some cases, meteorites that have just fallen to Earth are exceptionally shiny. As time passes, the iron slowly oxidizes and the color of the surface changes like rust.
Compared to ordinary stones, it can leave fine lines or patterns on the surface. Also, when scratched with a nail, etc., if it is a real meteorite, it leaves no trace. If red or black streaks remain, it is usually considered a stone. If metal pieces come out when you drill a hole, you can almost think of it as a meteorite.
If there are signs of cooling air bubbles on the surface, it is likely not a meteorite. These bubbles are mainly formed in the cooling process of magma. The surest way is to determine if the stone contains nickel. This is because iron on Earth contains almost no nickel.
Ownership of meteorites varies depending on where they were picked up. If the place where the meteorite is embedded is private land, the owner of the land, not the person who found it, is recognized as the owner. In addition, if the evaluation results show a high academic value, the owner can change in accordance with national systems such as the Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Of course, it is common for the state to take over after paying the appropriate price to the person who acquired it.
Reporter Yoonseo Lee lys@sputnik.kr
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