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Just noticed a lot of folks misidentifying slag as meteorites
I keep seeing people at rock shows or online getting super excited about heavy, metallic-looking lumps they think are space rocks. It's almost always industrial slag from old smelters, which is cool but not a meteorite. Real meteorites, like the Canyon Diablo ones from Arizona, usually have a thin, dark fusion crust and won't leave a streak on ceramic. Anyone have a good trick for telling the difference without fancy gear?
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nancy8176mo ago
Honestly, that bit about the streak test is the best free trick. Grab an unglazed ceramic tile, like the back of a toilet lid or an old floor tile. If it leaves a black or gray streak, it's probably magnetite or hematite, not a meteorite. A real one won't streak. Also, slag often has bubbles or a weird, flowy look inside if you can see a fresh surface.
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patricia5586mo ago
Wait, you're telling me people are out here rubbing rocks on the back of their toilet lids? That's wild. Does that actually work without ruining the tile?
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