Meteorite hunting: How to find a valuable meteorite

By Cheri Sicard
Rockhounding is a popular hobby for many RVers, probably because we frequently find ourselves camping in great rock-hunting locations. But have you ever thought about meteorite hunting? In the video below, join Desert Hunter, who explains his 5 steps to finding meteorites.

You may not be aware, but our planet is under constant bombardment by space rocks. When these rocks crash and burn through our atmosphere, most often the debris falls into the oceans. But not all. In fact, more than 40,000 meteorites have been found and cataloged, but countless others are still out there.

If the sheer mystery and allure of finding a meteorite were not enough incentive to add meteorite hunting to your rockhounding hobby, consider this. Meteorites can be worth as much as $1000 per gram!

Even though our host breaks down meteorite hunting into five steps, he does stress that this potentially lucrative hobby takes hard work and dedication.

How to find a meteorite in 5 steps

Step #1: Get permission

Watch the video for details, but the important point here is that if you do find a meteorite, you want to be sure you will be allowed to keep it. For instance, space rocks found in national parks belong to the federal government and cannot be kept. The law is ambiguous about meteorites found on other public lands, including a lot of BLM lands that are, in fact, meteorite hot spots.

Some BLM authorities consider meteorite artifacts and therefore off limits, but most do not. Therefore, in theory, you should be able to keep space rocks found on most BLM lands. But the video says if you absolutely want to be sure your meteorites cannot be confiscated in the future, go meteorite hunting on private land where you have permission to do so.

Step #2: Choose a good spot to go meteorite hunting

In a world full of rocks, it’s important to narrow down your search. True, meteorites can and do fall everywhere. However, they are easier to spot in areas where there are few terrestrial rocks.

The best hunting grounds are large, barren expanses of land where a dark rock like a meteorite will tend to stand out.

Deserts such as California’s Mojave are ideal. Franconia, just 17 miles from Lake Havasu, Arizona, is another popular meteorite hunting spot. Those snowbirding in Quartzsite should note that this is a doable day trip from the popular winter desert RV oasis.

You can also search in “strewn fields,” where meteorites from a single space rock broke up as they entered our atmosphere. There are well-known strewn fields near New Mexico’s Glorieta Mountain, Holbrook, Arizona, as well as Franconia, mentioned above.

Since 1995, thousands of meteorites have also been recovered from two overlapping strewn fields in Gold Basin, Arizona.

Lastly, the U.S. Great Plains is another area with few terrestrial rocks. According to the video, more than one meteorite has been found propping open a farmer’s screen door in these areas.

Step #3: Search for new arrivals

Some space rock hunters are not content to hunt for long-lost meteorites. These folks chase the thrill of new arrivals. How do you know where to search when a meteorite is reported screeching toward Earth? The video gives some valuable tips, but know that there is an actual calculation you can make to get you close.

Step #4: Harness the power of magnetism

Step four gives lots of practical tips on what to bring when meteorite hunting, along with important safety tips. It also recommends you take along a metal detector. As most meteorites contain some metallic iron-nickel, they will set off a metal detector.

That said, the most successful meteorite hunters find them by eye. Not to mention the fact that some meteorites do not contain metal and can only be discovered by carefully scouring the ground for lunar rocks. Watch the video for pictures and examples.

Step #5: Share with science

If you spot what you think might be a rock from outer space, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the rock black or brown?
• Is it solid, without pores, and is it denser or heavier compared to most other rocks in the area?
• If a corner of the sample is ground slightly, is it silver or metallic (don’t grind it if it is not)? In other words, does it have a metallic core?
• Is the sample magnetic?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, chances are high that you have a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite!

Put it on your mantel, BUT be sure to share your findings with scientists. Even though thousands and thousands of meteorites have already been cataloged, each new one presents a fresh data point. Who knows? The meteor you find might contain the answers to how our solar system was formed and evolved!

Of course, there is some cost involved, which the video also covers.

Have you ever found a meteorite? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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