What should I do if I find a strange rock at the beach?
Look closely, take a photo, ask an adult to help, and compare it with pictures of real meteorites. Most strange beach rocks are Earth rocks, but they can still be interesting.
Beaches are full of interesting stones, and it is fun to wonder whether one could be from space.
Start by looking carefully. Meteorites are usually heavy for their size, often have a dark crust, and many will stick to a magnet. They are not usually full of holes or bubbles, and they almost never have layers or stripes like many beach pebbles. If your rock floats or is very light, it is probably pumice from a volcano. If it is full of holes and very shiny or glassy, it may be slag, the waste from old factories, which is very common on some beaches.
Next, take a photo with something to show its size, like a coin, and write down where and when you found it. Ask an adult to help you check pictures of real meteorites, or take the rock to a local museum, many of which have experts who can help identify rocks.
Remember that some beaches are protected, and you may need to ask before collecting, so check with an adult. Never try to break or heat the rock. Even if it is not a meteorite, it is part of Earth's own story. A rock collection is a great way to learn geology.