Nickel Iron: Most chondrites contain tiny flecks of nickel iron sprinkled throughout. For this reason, meteorite hunters often use metal detectors in areas where meteorites are likely to be found. A chondrite's high nickel-iron content makes it adhere to a strong magnet.
How can you tell if you have a meteorite?
Meteorites have several properties that help distinguish them from other rocks:
- Density: Meteorites are usually quite heavy for their size, since they contain metallic iron and dense minerals.
- Magnetic: Since most meteorites contain metallic iron, a magnet will often stick to them.
What does a chondrite look like?
Although primitive ordinary chondrites are usually gray, once they have been metamorphosed to an equilibrated state they may appear off-white, and are sometimes lightly tinted orange or yellow. Alternatively, if they have been shocked by impact processes on the surface of an asteroid, then they may be quite dark.
