Meteorite or not??

[acropolite]

I noticed an interesting rock in the car park at work ages ago. I've spotted it many times and thought it looks like a space rock. Today I picked it up, heavy for it's size and highly magnetic will easily hold its own weight when attached to a magnet.

So have I found a meteorite? :shrug:

[Paul Haese]

Probably if a magnet picks it up. Surface looks super heated too.

[astroron]

Could be Phil,is the yellow/orange Rust:question:
Also the outer edge top left looks like the crust
Similar to my Chelyabinsk meteorite.
I hope it is one.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[acropolite]

Not sure what the yellow orange is, looks like powdery rust but is hard, like it's fused to the surface. I looked at high mag, the black surface ceratinly looks like it's had some serious heat, I'll take some decent close macros when I get a chance.

[inertia8]

Looks like a good find. don't drill into it and let the black ooze out though!

[Suzy]

Hi Phil,
I hope it turns out to be a meteorite, what a great find that would be.

Here's a fantastic guide detailing different experiments that can be performed at home to see if one is genuine. I hope it's of some help.
http://meteorite-identification.com/streak.html

[starfield7]

Hi Phil,

unfortunately this is not a meteorite. it looks like the by-product of a mining or smelting process. Are you in an area with heavy industry or a history of mining?

A meteorite will be smooth and rounded on the outside except on surfaces that may have fractured. There will be no other material stuck to them. They may have flow lines, regmaglypts and/or a fusion crust.

This sample shows none of the typical features of a meteorite. Unfortunately being attracted to a magnet is a common feature of some terrestrial rocks and mining/smelting waste.

Better luck next time!

[RB]

Put it on eBay Phil !

:P

[acropolite]

Looking through the ID site it looks like a meteorite with mineral mud. The black parts are glazed, there are also small silver flecks visible, which may be nickel, also an indicator. The rust coloured stuff is hard but looks slightly granular.

[acropolite]

Another section image, the glazing is apparent in this crop. The colour is quite dark, the lights are making it look lighter than it really is.

@ dave, from what I've read Meteorites come in all shapes are rarely round and smooth often, but not always, with glazed surfaces, but your theory could have some bearing, although the nearest mining area is over 60Km distant and they smelt manganese and aluminium.

What is a mystery is the ochre coloured crust, it has crystalline particles through it and is hard, the black stuff definitely has sparkly bits within, from what I've read an indicator of Nickel content. Suzy's site suggests polishing a small piece off the corner to see what it's like within and also measuring the SG.