What are meteorwrongs?

Meteorwrongs are rocks that people think are meteorites, but turn to ordinary earthly rocks. The term "meteorwrong" is a game on the words with a "meteorite" rather than an official term in geology. Meteorwrongs often easily identify with occasional glances, and some universities and rock associations offer clinics to identify rocks and show people how to see meteorwrongs. Many people consider meteorites interesting because they come from space, and sometimes collectors pay a high price for proven meteorites. Scientists are also sometimes interested in these rocks because they can provide information about how the universe has evolved and what kind of minerals can be found in space in space. Sometimes the meteorite identification also happens in court, because for example, when someone claims that damage to meteorite should be covered by insurance.

Many people have an idea of ​​what the meteorite looks like, and when they find rocks that fit this mental image, they may decide that these rocks areu meteority. In fact, most of them are ordinary old earthly rocks such as iron debris, magnetite and vesicular basalt, much to disappoint their discoverers.

So, how to say whether the rock is a meteorite or a meteorwrong? Sometimes it requires the help of a qualified geologist, but there are several main tracks that can lead you in the right direction. One of the defining features of the meteorite is the fusion cortex caused by browsing the Earth's atmosphere at high speed. Fusion bark is black to rusty brown color, depending on age and usually very smooth. It also looks very different from the rest of the rock once it is open.

Most meteorites are highly magnetic and boring in color. If the rock is covered with crystals, especially brightly colored, it is most likely Meteorwrong. Real meteorites are extremely thick, they feel very hard for their size and are often triggered by a small piecey metal. Meteorwrongs have gas bubbles, air pockets and large pieces of sediment, often in layers.

One of the largest traces is the surrounding geological material. If you find that neighboring rocks that look more or less identical, you hold Meteorwrong, and while the rock can be interesting or valuable for other reasons, it's definitely not from space.

For collectors who want to avoid meteorwrongs, it is good to ask for an independent rating of a rock that someone claims to be a meteorite. Many geologists who specialize in meteorites offer rating, for a fee, and if it turns out that the rock is worthless, it can be a fee well.