Meteorites

[casper]

Is this a Meteorites? I know noyhing abought them .This belong to a friend,he has had in fo 25 years.He got it in CO.

 

[Magicman]

What is this???? I have one also. I found it downtown Columbia SC. It is also heavy for it's size.

 

[gator_bait]

That thing sure looks like it traveled a few billion miles before it burned it's way throught the atmosphere! Is it magnetic? That should be the first test..Gil

 

[Thumper III]

Although the exterior has been eroded by some manner, it does not show any flow pattern as if partially molten during an atmospheric entry. If not magnetic, then possibly a volcanic geode. The sharp angles of the exterior surface could possibly be the bases of the crystaline "interior" where the softer surrounding rock was worn away. Suggest taking it to a college geology department for more positive ID. Thumper

 

[1859large]

Looks a lot like a pyrite nodule. These form in shale and can range from 1/2" to 12" across. The crystalline appearance is normal. You might be able to scrub it (nylon brush) and it will appear gold colored. If you rub to rough edge of a the bottom of a light colored mug you will get a black powder formed (streak test). If you chip it it will also appear gold colored. The banding is probably a relic of the shale that it formed in. Pyrite is heavier than your average stone about twice as dense with an SG of 5 vs 2.65 for your average rock. Pyrite crystals are cubic and your pictures show nice 90 degree facets. (Think of the corners of sugar cubes.)

An iron meteorite would be about 3x as dense and magnetic and often develop a rusty rind from weathering.

I have been busting rocks for 30 years.

1859