Meteorite Collection
Meteorites
The MGMH holds a large and broadly representative collection of meteorites. Meteorites are extraordinary things. No other object that you can hold in your hand is as exotic or as old. Meteorites are rocks that most commonly originate from the Asteroid Belt. Rocks blasted off parent bodies by an impact or collision will orbit the Sun just as the planets do. Some small fraction of these orbiting rocks cross the Earth's orbit and, coming under the influence of Earth's gravity, fall into our atmosphere. There, momentarily glowing due to friction, they become "shooting stars" or meteors. If they survive their fiery descent to Earth, they are meteorites.
The MGMH holds a large and broadly representative collection of meteorites. Meteorites are extraordinary things. No other object that you can hold in your hand is as exotic or as old. Meteorites are rocks that most commonly originate from the Asteroid Belt. Rocks blasted off parent bodies by an impact or collision will orbit the Sun just as the planets do. Some small fraction of these orbiting rocks cross the Earth's orbit and, coming under the influence of Earth's gravity, fall into our atmosphere. There, momentarily glowing due to friction, they become "shooting stars" or meteors. If they survive their fiery descent to Earth, they are meteorites. Frequently asked questions about meteorites.
The meteorite collection includes nearly 600 distinct meteorites and about 1,500 specimens ranging from <0.1 g to ~180 kg. It includes the collections of J. Lawrence Smith, a famous 19th century American chemist, and Q. David Bowers, a contemporary collector particularly enthusiastic about pallasites.
Exhibits
In December of 2005, a new meteorite exhibit was installed in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Gallery at the Harvard Museum of Natural History showcasing a fine selection of meteorites. The exhibit displays about 40 meteorites and includes significant specimens such as large touchable iron meteorites, exceptional pallasites, and other rare meteorites donated by Q. David Bowers and Don Edwards. It also features Impact!, an original video presentation based on the research of Earth and Planetary Science professors at Harvard University.
The Meteorite Collection
The growth of the collection has been documented by four catalogues (Huntington, 1887; Palache, 1926; Frondel, 1965 and C.A Francis, 1978). At the present time, the collection consists of approximately 1,500 specimens. The collection is primarily maintained to support research at Harvard, but specimens will be provided to qualified investigators otherwise affiliated. Requests should be directed to Museum staff.
The Impactite Collection
Large meteorite impacts produce shock effects—metamorphism and even melting of target rocks. Brecciated rocks, tektites, shattercones, and other structures that result from these events are known as impactites. The museum holds a small ancillary collection of impactites.
Have I Found a Meteorite?
Since meteorites are very rare, difficult to identify and have several materials that are often mistaken for meteorites, please explore the meteorite identification links below before contacting the museum with this request:
New England Meteoritical Services
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
Natural History Museum, London