Meteorites are rare and scientifically important discoveries. Both types are heavier than most normal rocks and will attract a magnet, although some stones may not attract it very strongly. A few very rare stones, such as the famous Martian meteorites, contain no metallic iron at all, will not attract a magnet, and may closely resemble Earth rocks. Freshly fallen meteorites of all types will usually have a smooth, black surface. Weathering soon turns this crust to a rusty brown color like the weathered surface of Wilder.
Meteorites never contain abundant gas bubbles or have porous or spongy textures.
Objects that are sometimes confused with meteorites are smelter slag, iron oxide concretions, and pieces of man-made iron. If you see a fireball, try to record the direction it was moving by referring to landmarks like buildings or trees. Loud noises associated with fireballs may be caused by sonic booms rather than impacts. If you think you have found a meteorite, you can bring it to the Geosciences Department at Boise State University for identification or send it to one of the national centers for meteorite studies such as the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C. or the Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University in Tempe. Dave Kring's meteorite page contains lots of useful information about meteorites, including sections on the origin of meteorites, meteorite craters, and tests for suspected meteorites.