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Iron
meteorites, made of Fe-Ni metal, comprise less than 5% of observed meteorite
falls. However, "irons" are over-represented in meteorite
collections because they are very different from ordinary rocks and easily
identified. Iron meteorites are much, much heavier than ordinary rocks and
are strongly attracted toward magnets.
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FRESH
FALLS. The photo to the
right shows an iron meteorite (2.5 inches across and three-quarters of a
pound) that was observed to fall in Russia in 1947. The meteorite
has a black fusion crust and well-developed thumb-prints. |
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WEATHERED
FINDS. Most iron
meteorites, however, have a rusty appearance because they fell to earth
many years before being found. The iron meteorite on the left (8
inches across and 40 pounds) exhibits the rusted surface typical of iron
meteorites. This specimen has a thumb-printed surface.
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The iron
meteorite shown below has been cut open to reveal fresh, shiny metal in
the interior. Note the smooth and rusted surface. Thumbprints are
not present on this specimen.
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