Meteorite, or wrong?

[SquaLLio]

Hello everyone, as you can see I'm new here, but that's only because I'm new to treasure hunting!
Oh boy, is it addicting just after a single day. haha

Earlier this morning I went out with a metal detector for my very first time.
After hours of digging for countless amounts of junk, I finally stumbled across an interesting rock on a dry creek bed.
The detector gave off an alarming beep, and I instantly caught view of it. It definitely stood out from everything around, and only about the size of a quarter.
I quickly reached for my magnet, sure enough, it attached and did not want to let go.
About 10 minutes after that, I was forced to leave the area, but fear not, I built a rock pile in the exact position where the rock was laying. haha
I plan on heading back out early tomorrow and HOPEFULLY mapping a nice strewn field.

Now, I understand you're most likely not going to be able to identify it with a picture alone, but really I just want some informed opinions.
If a different angle would help, or if I should open a "window" and take a picture, please let me know and I'll get right on that.
Honestly, I'm not exactly sure where to from here as far as identifying goes.
Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

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[jimmy uk]

if its magnetic then yes its a meteorite but if it aint then its just a lump of metal

 

[SquaLLio]

Thanks for the reply.
There's no question it's magnetic. It's quite a strong pull also.
From what I've read, the magnet test isn't definitive.
Any more ideas?

 

[sniffer]

the look of it isn't quite right. it should have marking like it was melted from coming through the atmosphere. however the only way to know for sure is to get someone to cut in half and then study the structure

 

[Monty]

Looks a lot like slag. Monty

 

[SquaLLio]

Hmm, it does have similar characteristics as the slag images I found on Google. The only difference I see is my rock is a lot darker, almost black, all around it. Except for where the rust has seeped to the surface.
Wouldn't I expect to find similar slags in the area?

I went out again, and wasn't able to find anything resembling the rock I found, but I don't feel confident I did a proper sweep.

I guess the only place to go from here is to send it in for analysis.
Does anybody have any preferred labs that they've had positive experiences with?
Thanks

 

[steelheadwill]

Welcome to the T-net Forum,
Would love to find a meteorite, check this link for verifying your find:
http://www.meteoritemarket.com/sell.htm
looking forward to seeing more posts,
Expect beginners luck.

 

[SquaLLio]

Thank you for the warm welcome, and the extra information steelheadwill.

Hopefully meteoritemarket can provide me with some sort of identification.

 

[Tuberale]

I regret to report it isn't likely. Why?

Look at the edges of the stone: if they look jagged/angular, probably not a meteorite that has travelled very far. Most stone travelling at high speeds (supersonic, even) form very rounded edges.

That said, hope I'm wrong.

 

[SquaLLio]

Interesting...
If it were a fragment from a larger fall, would it still be smooth on all sides?
I originally assumed it was a fragment just because of how small it is.
Thanks for the reply, and I hope you're wrong also! haha

 

[trixie charger]

I do not believe it is. There is a show on the History Channel called Meteorite Men, they know anything and everything about them. They have a link on their web site to email them.

 

[Tuberale]

Interesting...
If it were a fragment from a larger fall, would it still be smooth on all sides?
I originally assumed it was a fragment just because of how small it is.
Thanks for the reply, and I hope you're wrong also! haha

Not always, but usually. It's hard just looking at a rock to remember where meteorites came from, and how fast they can travel.

A few miles from me a meteorite was found in Washougal, Washington in 1939. It came over Portland, Oregon first. Estimates of the speed was 160,000 mph. By comparison, the speed of sound is about 750 mph, and a bullet can travel 2500 fps. When this rock passed over Portland, it caused a major sonic boom (which term would not be coined until the late 1950's). The speed of entry in the earth's atmosphere causes serious burning, stereophonic sound concussion, and the meteor itself will often be the brightest object in the day-time sky. The friction of air against the stone acts literally like an air brake. The closer to the earth's surface, the greater the density of the air, the more water vapor is present, and the faster the stone will slow. Most meteors slow below 750 mph while still many miles above the earth.

Many meteors break apart between 100 and 30 miles high. They still are travelling so fast the outside melts and is pushed away from the front, producing "flow lines". That's also why rockets and planes designed to go supersonic have to have abbreviated wings with extremely sleek designs. It's also true that a rock just entering the earth's atmosphere goes from an external temperature near absolute zero to 3000 degrees or more within a seconds. This extreme difference in temperatures can cause the stone to shatter violently, something like a marble which has been heated then doused with water. Even the resulting pieces can shatter again, and again. Most meteor matter burns up in the atmosphere, raining gently down as fine metallic ash particles. Those micrometeorites fall everywhere, btw. You could find some on top of your roof with a good magnet. But it might take a microscope to detect them.

Usually the only meteorites with sharp edges are those which have broken apart on impact. The meteorite which fell on a Salem, Oregon roof on May 11, 1981 looks like that. It hit a roof and shattered. Pieces of the stone found in a driveway were according to the finder still "hot to the touch" when he picked them up 10-15 minutes after impact. This is an important observation, as it is one of the very very few reliable reports of finding a meteorite that quickly after impact.

 

[SquaLLio]

Thanks for the very thorough reply Tuberale. It does make sense why it wouldn't be a meteorite.

I took the liberty to file down a little bit on one of the flatter sides.
Something curious appeared after just a few minutes of grinding. It "looks" like some sort of metal flake to me, and I don't know if it goes deeper into the rock.
I've attached a picture to illustrate this.

Any ideas what this could mean?

 

[SquaLLio]

Unfortunately, I am unable to locate an assay lab in my area.
So, I've decided to mail it off.
Does anybody have any experience with meteorlab.com?
It seems like it's the best price/turnaround, but I'm a little concerned about scammers.