Should I touch a meteorite that has just fallen?
It is safe, but for science, try not to touch it with bare hands. Use clean aluminium foil or a clean bag, keep it dry and contact a museum quickly.
If you are lucky enough to find a meteorite that has just fallen, it is safe to approach and pick up. Meteorites are not dangerously hot, poisonous or radioactive.
Temperature. By the time it lands, a meteorite has usually cooled during its dark flight through cold air. It may feel cool or slightly warm. It will not be glowing or burning.
Protecting the meteorite. Freshly fallen meteorites are extremely valuable to scientists because they have not yet been affected by Earth's environment. Touching them with bare hands transfers skin oils, sweat and bacteria, which can contaminate delicate organic compounds and make some analyses harder.
What to do. - Photograph it where it lies, with something for scale, before moving it. - Record the location using a phone's GPS, and note the time. - Pick it up using clean aluminium foil, or put a clean plastic bag over your hand and turn it inside out over the stone. - Keep it dry. Store it in a clean container, away from water. Do not wash it. - Avoid magnets. Do not test it repeatedly with magnets, which can alter its magnetic record. - Do not break it. Even small pieces can be important. - Contact experts quickly. Get in touch with a museum, university or fireball network as soon as possible. Some measurements need to be made within days.
Safety. If the meteorite has landed somewhere dangerous, such as a busy road or an unstable roof, do not put yourself at risk.
Following these steps can make your find much more useful to science.