Can I taste or lick a meteorite?
No, never. Meteorites can be dusty, rusty and dirty, some contain chemicals that are not good to eat, and licking spoils them for science.
Some geologists lick rocks to make their colours show up better, but you should never lick, taste or bite a meteorite, or any rock you are unsure about.
There are several good reasons. Meteorites can be rusty and dirty, especially if they have lain in the ground. Some contain metals such as nickel, which can upset skin and is not good to swallow. Rocks that look like meteorites may actually be pieces of slag from factories or other materials that could contain harmful substances. Dust from cutting or breaking rocks is also bad to breathe in or swallow.
Licking also spoils meteorites for scientists. Some meteorites contain delicate chemicals from space, such as amino acids. Saliva and bacteria from your mouth can add Earth chemicals and germs, which makes it much harder for scientists to tell what came from space and what came from you.
The best way to enjoy a meteorite is with your eyes and, if allowed, gentle clean hands. Wash your hands afterwards. If you want to see colours better, an adult can help you look at it with a magnifying glass or under a good lamp, without making it wet. Treat every meteorite like a precious museum object, because it is.