<p>An easy way to determine whether a rock is a possible meteorite and worth a look by a scientist is to walk through the <a href="https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/self-test-check-list/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Self-test checklist</a>:</p>
<p><img src="https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2024/04/Self-Test-1c68230331dd6b2c.jpg" alt="flowchart" /></p>
<p><sub>Debora Rios and colleagues at the Nacional/UFRJ in Brazil, adapted by Randy L. Korotev, <a href="https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/self-test-check-list/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">WashU</a></sub></p>
<p>Also take a look at <a href="https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/meteorwrongs/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Meteorwrongs</a>.</p>
<p>If the rock passes the self-test, and you remain convinced that the rock is a meteorite, you will find pointers to institutions that study such rocks at one of the pages linked at the above site.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T17:24:28.183Z
Thanks @doubleunary.  Note that this person has been walked through this checklist and has gone as far as getting his rock identified as "rock from hydrothermal vent". He posts about once a year to ask the same question.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T18:06:28.950Z
Perhaps someone can clarify: I'd had the impression that some of the earliest "magnetic stones" found 2,000 years ago were of meteoritic origin... So I'm confused in the self-test checklist that "attracts magnets" is immediately disqualifying.
paul garrett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T18:58:10.560Z
@paulgarrett I don't see how "attracts magnets" is disqualifying, the paths 1-2-4-5-7 or 1-2-3-8-7 both lead to "Send me some photos".
Guntram Blohm
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T19:01:48.707Z
@GuntramBlohm, oop, thanks, I guess I misread the flow chart. Thanks!
paul garrett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T19:03:43.500Z
... maybe failing to parse the flow-chart is disqualifying. :)
paul garrett
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T11:04:40.000Z
2024-11-05T11:09:12.473Z
2024-11-05T11:09:12.473Z
doubleunary
<p>I witnessed a meteorite fall. I have had some test done. I believe it is a Martian meteorite. It seems very hard to get any help and was looking for a company who authenticates Martian meteorites for a fee.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T06:34:49.487Z
different but related: [How do scientists know that a rock found on Earth came from Mars?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/2372/7982) and somewhat less related [Is it possible to find what crater the Mars meteorites come from?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/37088/7982) and [Could martian meteorites come from Olympus Mons?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/11198/7982)
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T11:35:23.513Z
Also see: https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/50308/how-can-i-identify-if-my-stone-is-meteorite/50314#50314
Nilay Ghosh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T17:21:45.930Z
You have created multiple accounts.  Please do not create multiple accounts.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-04T17:26:33.257Z
Also https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/33770/oxygen-isotope-analysis?noredirect=1&lq=1 You do not have a Meteorite.  You may have a piece of basalt from a hydrothermal vent.
James K
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-05T01:01:52.623Z
@JamesK thanks for finding the previous post. I knew there was a similar looking post from the same OP. // To OP - as mentioned already, please don't create multiple accounts, you already have 2 accounts. Kindly follow the link mentioned in previous post on account merge.
Nilay Ghosh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-11-05T03:21:24.353Z
Also see https://xkcd.com/1723/
emanresu A
<meteorite>
Is there a company that can authenticate Martian meteorites?
Rob Biddle
# Is there a company that can authenticate Martian meteorites?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-11-04)

I witnessed a meteorite fall. I have had some test done. I believe it is a Martian meteorite. It seems very hard to get any help and was looking for a company who authenticates Martian meteorites for a fee.

**Tags:** meteorite

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: different but related: [How do scientists know that a rock found on Earth came from Mars?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/2372/7982) and somewhat less related [Is it possible to find what crater the Mars meteorites come from?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/37088/7982) and [Could martian meteorites come from Olympus Mons?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/11198/7982)  
> **username_2**: Also see: https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/50308/how-can-i-identify-if-my-stone-is-meteorite/50314#50314  
> **username_3**: You have created multiple accounts.  Please do not create multiple accounts.  
> **username_3**: Also https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/questions/33770/oxygen-isotope-analysis?noredirect=1&lq=1 You do not have a Meteorite.  You may have a piece of basalt from a hydrothermal vent.  
> **username_2**: @JamesK thanks for finding the previous post. I knew there was a similar looking post from the same OP. // To OP - as mentioned already, please don't create multiple accounts, you already have 2 accounts. Kindly follow the link mentioned in previous post on account merge.  
> **username_4**: Also see https://xkcd.com/1723/  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2024-11-04. Score: 12

An easy way to determine whether a rock is a possible meteorite and worth a look by a scientist is to walk through the [Self-test checklist](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/self-test-check-list/):

![flowchart](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2024/04/Self-Test-1c68230331dd6b2c.jpg)

Debora Rios and colleagues at the Nacional/UFRJ in Brazil, adapted by Randy L. Korotev, [WashU](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/self-test-check-list/)

Also take a look at [Meteorwrongs](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/meteorwrongs/).

If the rock passes the self-test, and you remain convinced that the rock is a meteorite, you will find pointers to institutions that study such rocks at one of the pages linked at the above site.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Thanks @username_5.  Note that this person has been walked through this checklist and has gone as far as getting his rock identified as "rock from hydrothermal vent". He posts about once a year to ask the same question.  
> **username_6**: Perhaps someone can clarify: I'd had the impression that some of the earliest "magnetic stones" found 2,000 years ago were of meteoritic origin... So I'm confused in the self-test checklist that "attracts magnets" is immediately disqualifying.  
> **username_7**: @paulgarrett I don't see how "attracts magnets" is disqualifying, the paths 1-2-4-5-7 or 1-2-3-8-7 both lead to "Send me some photos".  
> **username_6**: @GuntramBlohm, oop, thanks, I guess I misread the flow chart. Thanks!  
> **username_6**: ... maybe failing to parse the flow-chart is disqualifying. :)  

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