Iron-nickel metal
The shiny metal found in most meteorites, made of iron mixed with a little nickel.
Most meteorites contain some metal, and that metal is nearly always iron mixed with nickel. Iron meteorites are made almost entirely of it, stony-irons are about half metal, and many stony meteorites have little shiny flecks of it scattered inside. Rocks on Earth's surface almost never contain natural metal like this, which is why it is such a useful clue.
Iron-nickel metal formed in space. In some asteroids, the metal melted and sank to the middle to make a core, which is where iron meteorites come from. In others, small grains of metal stayed mixed with rock. A famous example is Campo del Cielo in Argentina, where many large iron-nickel meteorites have been found. The ordinary chondrite that fell over Chelyabinsk in Russia in 2013 also contains bright metal flecks.
Metal makes a meteorite heavy and attracts a magnet. If you look at a polished surface, the flecks sparkle silvery. Over time they rust and turn brown. Never try to cut or file a rock to look for metal yourself; ask an adult or a museum expert, and remember to get permission before picking up rocks on someone else's land.
Related terms
Level: Beginner Ages 7 and up