1. METEORITE HUNTERS
This is Dr Claudia Alexander – NASA Planetary Scientist

2. INTRODUCTION In this activity you are going to:
Learn about the different types of Earth rocks
Learn that classification is a way of grouping objects together by their properties
Use a classification chart and scientific testing to identify the rocks in your rock box
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3. EARTH ROCKS IGNEOUS SEDIMENTARY METAMORPHIC
Can you name the three types of Earth rocks?
IGNEOUS
SEDIMENTARY
METAMORPHIC

4. ROCK CYCLE Igneous rock (extrusive) Sedimentary rock Igneous rock
Rain and wind weathers rocks over time
Sediment gets washed into oceans
Over time, sediment sinks to the bottom, building up new rock in layers
Some escapes as a volcano eruption then cools
Igneous rock
(extrusive)
Sedimentary rock
Some cools inside the Earth
Igneous rock
(intrusive)
Sedimentary rock gets forced deeper into the Earth where heat and pressure changes it
Melted hot rock starts to rise
Metamorphic rock
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5. SEDIMENTARY Often have small gaps: POROUS (will absorb water)
Rounded grains ‘cemented’ together

6. SEDIMENTARY
In very large samples you can often see layers, or even the fossils of animals and plants that got buried by the sediment!

7. IGNEOUS
If the magma cools quickly, small crystals form in the rock. This can happen if the magma erupts from a volcano. Obsidian and basalt are examples of this type of rock.
If the magma cools slowly, large crystals form in the rock. This can happen if the magma cools deep underground.
Basalt
Obsidian
Extrusive Igneous – no/very small crystals
Intrusive – larger interlocking crystals
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8. METAMORPHIC
When a metamorphic rock is formed under pressure, its crystals become arranged in layers. Slate, which is formed from shale, is like this.
If the rock has not been squashed into layers, metamorphic rocks have medium sized, interlocking crystals often arranged in slight swirls
These can be easily confused with some igneous rocks – so we often need a bit more information about them!
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9. MINERALS/CRYSTALS
Once of the samples in your box is actually a mineral. These are crystals that grow on a base layer of rock.
Crystals
Rock base layer
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10. SPACE ROCKS Asteroid Meteoroid Meteor Meteorite
A large rocky body found between Mars and Jupiter
Atmosphere
Meteoroid
A smaller fragment of an asteroid outside of the Earth’s atmosphere
Meteor
A meteoroid that is burning up in the atmosphere
Meteorite
The fragments that make it to the surface of the Earth

11. METEORITES Meteorites… Are dense Have a fusion crust Are magnetic
They are heavy for their size
The mini magnet in the magnaprobe will be attracted to it
A layer of material that melted as the meteorite came through the atmosphere

12. YOUR CHALLENGE IGNEOUS SEDIMENTARY METAMORPHIC METEORITE FOSSIL
Examine the samples and use the information sheets to help you.
Can you identify what TYPE of rock each one is?
IGNEOUS SEDIMENTARY METAMORPHIC
METEORITE FOSSIL
MINERAL

15. YOUR METEORITES! Campo de Cielo Meteorite Chondrite meteorite
IRON METEORITE
LOOKS LIKE MELTED METAL
PATTERNS FROM COMING THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE
MAGNETIC
Chondrite meteorite
RUSTY (DUE TO IRON CONTENT)
MAGNETIC
ON SOME YOU CAN SEE THE FUSION CRUST
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