:bounty:can i use my detector to find meteorites?

[possumlips]

If so, would i use the detect all mode?
jesse

 

[mwaynebennett]

There are two basic types of meteorites, metallic (iron/nickel) and stony. I don't believe that a BH could find a stony type, but the metallic ones can be found. There are many videos at youtube showing people finding metallic ones with metal detectors. I believe such searches should be done in all metal mode... no discrimination.

Mark

 

[salmonriverhotrock]

I would imagine All Metal Mode will be the most effective as you will be doing dig all. I had given thought to doing searches here in my area of Idaho for meteorites but the number of verified finds are so few and spread out. Can not find any info for instance on debre fields like those found in Arizona.

 

[possumlips]

reason i asked was i found a nickel sized rock that looks rusty,pitted that sticks to a magnet.it also has shiney specks scattered thru it.might be iron ore.jesse

 

[mwaynebennett]

Years ago I too found a rust colored "rock" that set off a metal detector and was attracted to a magnet. I read-up on meteorites and learned that slag from steel making has those properties and the only way to tell for sure if it is a meteorite is to have an expert examine it. I found mine in an area that has human activity all around so it could be slag... fill material. If a specimen is found out in the boondocks, then I would say it is more likely to have come from outer space.

Mark

 

[salmonriverhotrock]

Not too many miles from here, I did find in a narrow canyon bottom with my old VLF-TR Garrett a couple years ago, what looks like a chunk of iron ore and is attracted to a magnet. I searched the area further and found no more. It however does not look quite the same as what you found, is more rough, but have saved it in my Detector Tool Box that I keep some test items in such as well oxidized coins, a bag of Black Sand, Hot and Cold rocks, and odd metal finds to practice with. I've never figured out how to make pictures fit here so have not posted any of my own.

I'm no geological or meteor expert but from what pictures I've seen and descriptions I've read, from what I see, I think I would go back to where you found this item to try and find more. If you have a GPS, save the approximate spot you found this one and get good readings on others you find so to maybe establish a debris field pattern.

Something I will share is I have found iron or steel items heavily rusted in and around the river. At first look, you will see shinny specks bound in the rust and will think it a very mineralized rock or of the sort but it is really particles of sand the rust has grown around. I've found what almost resembles very rusted weld slag drippings up to about a couple inches long that had the shinny specks in it and when broke and some do easily, I could see it was an old nail or piece of wire covered with many years of rust. Your item though is nicely rounded as I would expect a heated meteor fragment. Your mention of it being pitted is also a good indicator. I think what you will be looking for on it's surface is known as very tiny crater pits from heat and surface melting.

Nice picture, glad you shared, enjoyed it.

 

[jazzman58]

None the less it is still a cool find. Hope it turns out to be a winner. If not it is still "neat".

 

[Ed in SoDak]

Your "rock" has some positive signs. The pitted holes are one clue, the "swoopy" surface features and slight magnetism also seem to say it could be a space rock. If you have an ID-type detector, you may pick up some nickle readings in the ID when the rock is scanned in a direction that brings some nickle in it below the coil. Earthly iron has no nickle, so if you see that, you very likely have a winner. Try slowly advancing discrimination up to disc out iron, this may tell you how much iron is present.

I did a lot of testing awhile back, check the link.

http://whiteriverprep.com/meteor/meteor.html

-Ed

 

[edjcox]

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