Meteorite detective checklist
Clues that a rock might come from space. Print it out, or ask a grown-up to print it for you.
Meteorite detective checklist
Name: ____________________- Ask a grown-up to help you look at the rock.
- Answer each question with a tick or a cross.
- Do not scratch, break, wash, heat or lick the rock.
- If it ticks most boxes, a museum or a meteorite expert can check it for you.
| Clue | ✓ or ✗ |
|---|---|
| Is it heavier than an ordinary rock of the same size? | |
| Does a magnet on a string swing towards it? | |
| Does it have a thin dark or brown outer coat? | |
| Are there shallow dents on it, like thumbprints in clay? | |
| Is it free of holes and bubbles? | |
| Is it free of layers and of bright crystals that sparkle? |
True fact: Most rocks that people think are meteorites turn out to be Earth rocks, such as slag from old furnaces or rocks containing iron ore. Checking is still good science!
Howardites Kids' zone · free to print and copy for home and school
The sheet prints on one A4 page. Pictures are drawn as clean outlines, so they print sharply at any size.