☄️ AI-Powered Meteorite Screening

Meteorite Identifier —
Did You Find a Space Rock?

Upload a photo of your suspected meteorite. Our AI screens for the key visual properties that distinguish genuine meteorites from common Earth rocks — fusion crust, regmaglypts, metallic flecks, and more. Get an honest assessment with confidence scoring in seconds.

Free · No sign-up Screens all meteorite types Identifies common meteorwrongs Fusion crust detection Results in seconds

What You Get in Every Result

Meteorite likelihood verdict — Definite / Very Likely / Possible / Unlikely / Definitely Not
Confidence percentage with detailed visual reasoning
Probable meteorite classification — stony, iron, or stony-iron
Fusion crust assessment — presence, condition, and coverage
Regmaglypt and surface texture analysis
Common Earth rock alternatives that match appearance
Recommended next steps — magnet test, window test, expert contacts
Collector value indication and how to proceed if genuine

Meteorite Identifier

Upload photos of suspected meteorites — outside, broken face, and scale if possible. AI assesses fusion crust, shape, and common look-alikes (not a lab verdict).

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Locality / where did you get it?

Approximate meteorite or specimen size

Does it scratch glass? (Mohs > 5.5)

Is it magnetic?

Observed luster

Anything else to note? 0 / 200

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Identification Confidence 0%

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Description

Origin / formation

Hardness (Mohs)

Luster

Rarity

Relative value

Notable localities / regions

Typical colours

Key properties

Similar meteorites

Alternative identifications

Collector tip

What Our Meteorite Identifier Analyses

Genuine meteorites have a very specific set of visual properties formed during their violent entry through Earth’s atmosphere and their origin in space. When you upload a photo, the AI examines every visible feature against the known characteristics of confirmed meteorites — and equally importantly, against the most common Earth rocks that are mistaken for meteorites.

Genuine Meteorite Shows

✓Fusion crust — a thin dark glassy coating formed during atmospheric entry

✓Regmaglypts — thumbprint-like depressions on the surface from ablation

✓Metallic flecks or Widmanstätten pattern (iron meteorites) visible on cut surface

✓Dense, heavy weight — most meteorites are noticeably heavier than Earth rocks of equal size

✓Chondrules — tiny spherical structures visible in polished stony meteorites

✓Magnetic — most meteorites contain iron-nickel metal and attract a magnet

Common Meteorwrongs Show

✗Vesicles (bubbles) — lava and scoria have gas bubble holes; meteorites never do

✗Quartz or feldspar crystals — these minerals do not occur in meteorites

✗Fossils, shells, or organic material — exclusively terrestrial features

✗Layered or banded structure — sedimentary rocks only; never meteorites

✗Rounded, water-worn pebble shape without fusion crust

✗Rust coating without metallic core — magnetite and hematite are common false positives

Important — this is a screening tool, not a classification

Definitive meteorite identification requires physical examination, nickel testing, and in most cases laboratory analysis by a qualified meteoriticist. Our tool provides a photograph-based screening assessment that tells you whether your specimen is worth submitting for professional examination. If our tool rates your specimen as “Possible” or higher, follow up with the next steps provided in your result.

The Three Main Types of Meteorite

Meteorites are classified into three broad groups based on their composition and the type of parent body they originated from. Each group has distinct visual characteristics that our AI uses to suggest a probable classification alongside the overall likelihood assessment.

Stony Meteorites

~94% of all falls

The most common type. Composed primarily of silicate minerals — olivine and pyroxene — often with metallic iron-nickel flecks throughout. Most show a dark fusion crust on the exterior. Two subtypes: chondrites (contain chondrules) and achondrites (from differentiated bodies like the Moon or Mars).

Examples: Allende, Murchison, Zagami (Martian)

Iron Meteorites

~5% of all falls

Composed almost entirely of iron-nickel alloy. Extremely dense and heavy. When cut and etched with acid, they reveal the distinctive Widmanstätten pattern — interlocking bands of kamacite and taenite crystals that form only during extremely slow cooling over millions of years. Cannot be faked.

Examples: Canyon Diablo, Gibeon, Sikhote-Alin

Stony-Iron Meteorites

~1% of all falls

The rarest and most visually spectacular type. A roughly equal mixture of iron-nickel metal and silicate minerals. Pallasites — the most prized subgroup — contain beautiful olivine crystals embedded in a metallic matrix, transparent and gem-quality when sliced thin. Mesosiderites are a more chaotic mixture.

Examples: Esquel (pallasite), Vaca Muerta (mesosiderite)

“The Widmanstätten pattern found in iron meteorites is the definitive proof of extraterrestrial origin. It forms only when an iron-nickel melt cools at roughly one degree per million years — a rate impossible to replicate on Earth, and one that tells you the metal cooled inside an asteroid core over billions of years.”

Common Meteorwrongs — Earth Rocks Mistaken for Meteorites

Meteorite hunters and enthusiasts use the term “meteorwrong” for Earth rocks that are mistaken for meteorites. The vast majority of specimens submitted to experts for identification turn out to be terrestrial. These are the most common culprits:

Rock / Material	Why It’s Mistaken	How to Tell It Apart	How Common
Magnetite / Hematite	Heavy, dark, magnetic — ticks all the basic meteorite boxes	No fusion crust; often layered or banded; leaves red-brown streak	Very Common
Scoria / Volcanic Slag	Dark, heavy-looking, sometimes with a glassy exterior	Vesicles (gas holes) throughout — meteorites never have these	Very Common
Industrial Slag	Heavy, dark, metallic-looking, sometimes with fusion-like exterior	Irregular bubbly texture; often shows molten flow patterns	Very Common
Pyrite Nodules	Heavy, metallic, sometimes rounded	Brassy colour when fresh; distinctive cubic crystals; black streak	Common
Limonite Concretions	Rounded, brown-black, sometimes with rough exterior	Light weight; earthy texture inside; red-yellow streak	Common
Basalt	Dark, dense, occasionally rounded	Contains visible plagioclase feldspar; often has gas vesicles	Common
Man-Made Objects	Iron or steel fragments, cannon balls, old tools — heavy and metallic	No fusion crust; machined edges; no Widmanstätten pattern when cut	Common

The bubble test — fastest single elimination

Look very carefully at your specimen’s surface under a strong light, and examine any broken surfaces. If you can see any tiny holes, cavities, or vesicles — even very small ones — the specimen is not a meteorite. Meteorites are formed in the vacuum of space and have no gas bubbles whatsoever. This single observation eliminates the majority of volcanic and industrial look-alikes immediately.

Fusion Crust — The Most Important Visual Feature

Fusion crust is the thin, dark, glassy coating formed on the exterior of a meteorite as it heats to several thousand degrees during atmospheric entry. It is the single most diagnostic visual feature of a freshly fallen meteorite and one of the most important things to look for in your photos.

Colour and texture. Fresh fusion crust is jet black to dark brown, slightly shiny to matte, and very thin — typically less than 1mm. It often shows a flow texture, oriented parallel to the direction of flight through the atmosphere.
Coverage. Complete fusion crust covers the entire exterior of the stone. Oriented meteorites — those that maintained a consistent orientation during flight — develop a more pronounced crust on the leading face and a thinner crust on the trailing side.
Weathering. Fusion crust weathers over time. Older meteorites found after long periods on the ground develop a brown or reddish oxidation weathering rind over the crust. This can make identification harder — but the underlying crust structure is often still detectable.
Flow lines and rollover lips. Look for subtle lines on the crust surface showing the direction of airflow during atmospheric entry. Where the crust wraps around edges, it sometimes forms a slightly thickened rim called a rollover lip — a strong positive indicator.

How to photograph fusion crust effectively

Photograph in strong raking light — a single light source at a low angle across the surface — to bring out the texture of the crust. This type of lighting reveals the subtle flow texture, regmaglypts (thumbprint impressions), and rollover lips that flat overhead lighting completely obscures. Include a close-up of any area where the crust appears different from the surrounding surface — transitions between crust and broken interior are highly diagnostic.

At-Home Meteorite Tests — Before Submitting to an Expert

Before going to the expense and effort of professional laboratory identification, these simple home tests will help you determine whether your specimen is worth pursuing further. A genuine meteorite candidate should pass most of these tests.

🧲

The Magnet Test

Hold a strong magnet (a rare-earth neodymium magnet is best) near the specimen. Most meteorites contain iron-nickel metal and will attract a magnet. Even stony meteorites with only small metal content will respond to a strong magnet.

Essential first test — most meteorites attract magnets

⚖️

The Weight Test

Meteorites are unusually dense compared to most Earth rocks. A genuine meteorite feels noticeably heavy for its size. This is especially pronounced in iron and stony-iron meteorites. If it feels lightweight, it is very unlikely to be a meteorite.

Important — heavy weight for size is a strong indicator

🏺

The Streak Test

Drag the specimen across unglazed ceramic tile. Magnetite and hematite (the most common false positives) leave coloured streaks — red-brown for hematite, black for magnetite. Meteorites leave no streak, or a very faint grey metallic streak.

Useful — eliminates magnetite and hematite false positives

🔍

The Window Test

Grind a small flat window into the specimen surface using coarse sandpaper. If metallic silver flecks or grains are visible in a dark grey silicate matrix, this is a strong positive indicator for a stony meteorite. Earthly rocks rarely show this combination.

Highly useful — reveals internal metal content

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The Nickel Test

Meteoritic iron always contains nickel (typically 5–30%). Terrestrial magnetite and iron slag contain little or no nickel. Nickel test kits (dimethylglyoxime solution) are available cheaply and give a pink-red colour response in the presence of nickel. This is the most definitive home test.

Most definitive home test — nickel presence is strong evidence

🫧

The Bubble Check

Examine every surface carefully for any holes, cavities, or bubbles. If present — even very small ones — the specimen is not a meteorite. Meteorites formed in the vacuum of space and cannot have gas vesicles. This eliminates volcanic and industrial slag in seconds.

Instant elimination — bubbles rule out meteorites completely

Where Meteorites Are Found

Meteorites fall randomly across the entire surface of the Earth, but certain environments make them far easier to find and identify. The location where you found your specimen provides useful context for our AI’s assessment.

🏔️ Hot Deserts

The Sahara and Arabian deserts are among the world’s richest meteorite hunting grounds. Dry conditions preserve fusion crust and metal content for thousands of years. Dark meteorites stand out against pale desert pavement. Thousands of new specimens are recovered every year in Libya, Morocco, Oman, and surrounding regions.

🧊 Antarctic Ice Fields

Antarctica is the world’s most productive meteorite recovery environment. Glacial ice concentrates specimens over thousands of years, and dark meteorites are highly visible on blue ice fields. The ANSMET program has recovered over 22,000 specimens. Most classified meteorites in collections worldwide came from Antarctica.

🌾 Strewn Fields

When a large meteorite breaks up during atmospheric entry, fragments scatter across an elliptical area called a strewn field. If a witnessed fall occurred near your location, your specimen is more likely to be genuine. Historical strewn fields in Australia (Murchison), Russia (Sikhote-Alin), and the USA (Holbrook) continue to yield finds.

🌾 Agricultural Fields

Freshly ploughed agricultural land turns up meteorites regularly — the dark fusion crust stands out against pale soil. The US Midwest and parts of Europe have yielded significant numbers of finds through systematic agricultural field searches and reports from farmers.

Context that significantly improves our assessment

If you found your specimen in a known meteorite strewn field, a desert environment, or an area with documented past meteorite falls, please mention this in the optional context field when submitting your identification. Location, the circumstances of the find (surface find vs buried), and whether the specimen attracted a magnet are the three most useful pieces of additional information you can provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How rare is it to actually find a meteorite?

Meteorites are rarer than most people expect. Roughly 500 meteorites reach the Earth’s surface as recoverable specimens each year — but most fall in oceans, remote areas, or go unnoticed. Of the tens of thousands of specimens submitted to experts for identification every year, fewer than 2% turn out to be genuine meteorites. The vast majority are Earth rocks — particularly magnetite, hematite, basalt, scoria, and industrial slag. This is not a reason to dismiss your find, but it does mean objective testing is important.

What is fusion crust and why does it matter?

Fusion crust is the thin dark glassy coating formed on the exterior of a meteorite as it burns through Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of 15–70 kilometres per second. Surface temperatures reach several thousand degrees, melting a thin layer of the rock’s exterior which then rapidly solidifies as the meteorite decelerates. Fresh fusion crust is jet black, slightly glossy, and paper-thin. It is the single most reliable visual indicator of a genuine meteorite and something no Earth rock naturally develops.

My rock is magnetic — does that mean it is a meteorite?

Being magnetic is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a meteorite. Most meteorites are magnetic because they contain iron-nickel metal — so if your specimen is not magnetic, it is almost certainly not a meteorite. However, several common Earth rocks are also magnetic: magnetite, hematite, some basalts, and industrial slag all attract magnets. Magnetism narrows the field considerably, but the next steps are the streak test, bubble check, and ideally a nickel test to confirm meteoritic iron content.

What should I do if I think I have a meteorite?

First, avoid cutting, grinding, or cleaning the specimen more than necessary — any surface modifications reduce its scientific and commercial value. Photograph it thoroughly in raking light before doing anything else. Perform the basic home tests: magnet, weight, streak, bubble check. If it still looks promising, contact a university geology department, a natural history museum with a meteorite collection, or the Meteoritical Society for a referral to a qualified identifier. In some countries, meteorites are subject to legal ownership and reporting requirements.

Are meteorites valuable?

Value varies enormously by type, mass, and classification. Common chondrites in good condition sell for roughly $0.50–$5 per gram at retail. Iron meteorites with visible Widmanstätten pattern command $1–$20 per gram. Rare types — lunar meteorites, Martian meteorites, pallasites, and carbonaceous chondrites — can sell for hundreds of dollars per gram or more. A single large, well-preserved specimen in an unusual classification can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. Scientific value and commercial value are related but not identical.

Can the AI identify the specific meteorite classification?

Our tool provides a probable broad classification — stony, iron, or stony-iron — and notes whether chondritic texture, achondritic texture, or metallic structure appears consistent with specific meteorite subtypes. Precise classification into groups like H chondrite, L chondrite, LL chondrite, enstatite chondrite, or iron group requires laboratory analysis of mineral chemistry and bulk composition. The AI’s classification is a starting point for further investigation, not a definitive scientific classification.

Think You Found a Space Rock?

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Meteorite Identifier —Did You Find a Space Rock?