Could this be a meteorite?

Question

Yesterday I asked about a test using hydrocholoric acid. I found this: http://meteorites.wustl.edu/meteorwrongs/m077.htm.

Since I don't know that much about geology can someone tell me if this means it is a meteorite if it doesn't fizzle?

This rock is heavy, metalic, magenetic and has a greenish glaze that almost looks like a thin coat of pottery. Any information would be appreciated.

Answer 1

First of all, finding a meteorite is rather rare. Second, not all meteorites are metallic or magnetic. Having said that, I suggest you contact a local college geology department for help in identifying what you have there.

After reading your question I was wondering where you found the rock? Have you chipped a portion off and looked at the interior? What could be helpful would be some photo's.

Answer 2

You really need to have a professional check out your find. However, having said that your description of the item raises very strong doubts in my mind of it being a meteorite at all. Firstly iron meteorites have an oxide coating or no coating at all when they have just fallen and later develop a coating of rust like a piece of scrap iron left in the ground. Stony meteorites have coatings but these are not shiny and, of course, they are not magnetic.

Saying that your specimen has what looks like a pottery glaze makes me almost certain that what you have is slag from a steel works. Pieces of metal often get coated with the molten flux (feldspar and other minerals) used in the process which forms a sort of glass when it cools, the colour you describe is also very typical.

Hope this helps a bit.