A map of the meteorites of Britain and Ireland
The question
Where in Britain and Ireland have meteorites fallen or been found, and is there a pattern?
Only a few dozen meteorites are known from Britain and Ireland, from Stretchleigh in 1623 to Winchcombe in 2021. Mapping them shows where people lived and looked, as well as where rocks fell.
Equipment
- A printed outline map of Britain and Ireland
- Coloured stickers or pens
- The site's Britain and Ireland pages
Method
- Use the site's list to find each meteorite's place and year.
- Mark each one on the map, one colour for falls (seen to fall) and another for finds.
- Make a timeline of the falls in date order.
- Look for patterns: are there more in some regions or centuries?
- What to measure
- The number of falls and finds, the number in each century, and the number in each country.
- How to present it
- Your map and timeline, with a short story of one fall and a suggestion of why falls are not spread evenly.
- Take it further
- Find out what to do if you think you have found a meteorite in the UK, and who would want to see it.
Safety
None beyond normal care; if you visit a site, go with an adult and get permission on private land.