Aluminium foil handling
Fresh meteorites are often picked up with clean aluminium foil to avoid contaminating them with skin oils and organic matter.
A freshly fallen meteorite is precious to scientists, especially if it is a carbonaceous chondrite that may contain delicate organic molecules, or if it is to be tested for short-lived cosmogenic isotopes. Touching it with bare hands can transfer skin oils, bacteria, sweat and other contamination.
The standard advice is to lift the stone using clean aluminium foil, wrapping it without touching it directly, or using a new plastic bag turned inside out over your hand. Foil is preferred over plastic for the most sensitive organic studies, because plastics can shed chemicals. Keep the stone dry, away from magnets and in a cool place.
This was done for the Winchcombe meteorite in 2021: the family who found the main mass on their driveway collected it carefully, which helped preserve its fresh, water-bearing minerals. Remember to record the location and time of the find, and contact a museum promptly.
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