Meteorite Reporting System


Welcome to the University of Alberta's Meteorite Reporting System, where you can use a list of questions to help figure out if the rock you have found is a meteorite, and where you can upload photos to be reviewed by an expert.

Instructions


Read through the list of questions below. If the answers to questions 1 and 2 are No, then the rock is almost certainly NOT a meteorite. If the rock is actually a meteorite, then the answers to most of questions 1 through 5 should be Yes, and question 6 should be No. However, it may still be a meteorwrong.

Please fill out the report form below, and be sure to include photos. Note that the maximum file size for each photo is 5MB, if your photos are larger than this, you will either need to compress them, or email them separately to eas@ualberta.ca

You will be contacted within 4 weeks of submission, ONLY if your specimen appears to be a meteorite. If you do not get a reply, then you can assume that your specimen is not a meteorite. Unfortunately, due to a lack of personnel to assist with reviewing submissions, we cannot reply to every non-meteorite inquiry. If you have any questions, or problems with completing a report, please email eas@ualberta.ca.

Meteorite Identification Questions

Do you think that you have found a meteorite?


  1. Does the specimen feel unusually heavy for its size?
    (Yes = possible meteorite).
    Many meteorites, particularly iron meteorites, are quite dense and feel heavier than most rocks found on Earth.
  2. Does the specimen attract a magnet?
    (Yes = possible meteorite).
    Almost all meteorites contain some iron-nickel metal and attract a magnet easily.
  3. Can you see gray metal specks shining on any broken surface of the specimen?
    (Yes = possible meteorite).
    Most meteorites contain at least some iron-nickel metal. These fragments may be seen shining on a chipped surface.
  4. Does the specimen have a thin black crust on its outer surface?
    (Yes = possible meteorite).
    When a meteor falls through the Earth's atmosphere, a very thin layer on the outer surface of the rock melts. This thin layer is called a fusion crust. It is usually black and has the texture of an eggshell.
  5. Does the specimen appear to have "thumbprints or dents" on its surface?
    (Yes = possible meteorite).
    Often, when a meteor falls through the Earth’s atmosphere, these thumbprint-like features called regmaglypts form on the surface.
  6. Does the specimen have any holes or bubbles in it?
    (No = possible meteorite).
    Meteorites do not have holes or bubbles. Slag from industrial processes usually has holes or bubbles.

If the answers to questions 1 and 2 are No, then the rock is almost certainly Not a meteorite. If the rock is actually a meteorite, then the answers to most of questions 1 through 5 should be Yes, and question 6 should be No.


Report Form


Select specimen photos

Note: You can upload up to 5 photos, maximum file size for each photo is 5MB.