National Meteorite Collection of Canada

Canada's national collection, started in 1854 by the founder of the Geological Survey of Canada.

Key facts

Where

Ottawa, Canada

Kind

Research collection

Visiting

Mainly for researchers; some material lent to museums

The National Meteorite Collection of Canada was started in 1854 by Sir William Logan, the founder of the Geological Survey of Canada. It is now held by Natural Resources Canada in Ottawa and has about 2,700 specimens representing some 1,100 different meteorites, the largest collection of its kind in the country.

It is a research collection, but many of its meteorites are lent for display to museums across Canada. Under Canadian law the most important meteorites are protected as cultural property, which means they cannot be exported without a permit.

Highlights

• Canadian meteorites the national reference collection

Opening times, what is on display and access to research collections change over time, so check with the institution before you visit.