Space garbage is one way of thinking of them. Rocks that travel through time and space is another. Meteorites are a constant but elusive phenomena well worth collecting. Finding a meteorite gives you the opportunity to touch planets millions of miles away and learn a little about the universe. Decades of space travel and astronomical research has not lessened the human fascination with meteorites. Here is find one.
Instructions
1. Travel to the desert or the mountains, especially areas with low populations. The chances of finding a meteorite are easier in areas where urban sprawl, dense construction, and intricate infrastructure are not factors. The Rocky Mountain region is a great spot for asteroid hunting.
2. Look for anomalies in the geographic landscape. Often large meteorites leave large craters in the earth. Meteorites break up as they hit the earth's surface. Chances are if there is a large crater, there are small fragment meteorites nearby.
3. Use a metal detector to help you find rocks containing metal. Though not necessarily indicative of a meteorite, metal-dense rocks are certainly worth a second look. All meteorites contain metal.
4. Stop by your local geology museum and talk to a geologist. Looking at similar meteorites that collected in your area can make you search a lot easier. Be sure to write out a checklist of distinguishing marks and patterns.
5. Learn about earth rocks so you can save time when searching for meteorites. If you have little to no knowledge about the diverse variety of earth rocks, you will have a lot of trouble finding a space rock. Visit your local library to learn about rocks indigenous to your location.
6. Go to your local conservation office or visit the US geological survey (USGS) online to obtain topographical maps. Look for areas containing dry riverbeds or isolated mountain ranges. These are great places to find meteorites.
Tags: your local, earth rocks
