• The Taxonomy, Analysis & Classification of Meteorites

  General questions and discussion on meteorite analysis and classification

  Posted by Dustin Dickens on 19 February 2026 at 11:42

  This discussion is intended for questions and comments about meteorite analysis and classification from all members regardless of their experience level. There are no dumb questions, all inquiries and comments on the analysis and classification of meteorites are encouraged. This is a high-level (basic) discussion intended for all levels of expertise including the beginner, but that will occasionally drill-down into specifics and technical jargon to answer and communicate complex concepts invoked by questions and comments that may seem straightforward or simple that may require more in-depth answers or explanations by the moderator and/or other expert group members.

  This discussion is geared towards questions like: What is the Nomenclature Committee? Why do I have to donate 20 grams or 20% of my meteorite for it to be classified? Why is a microprobe (EPMA) required for the analysis and classification of most meteorites? Why do iron meteorites require a different kind of analysis than all of the other types? Is oxygen isotopic analysis required for all classifications? Where can I get a meteorite analyzed and classified? Why are there so few universities and laboratories willing to analyze my suspected meteorite? If you need EPMA analysis for meteorite classification, how can a meteorite expert look at my rock and determine it isn’t a meteorite? What is the difference between a chondrite and an achondrite? What is equilibration and how does it relate to the numbers that come after a chondrite’s official classification? Are iron meteorites achondrites? What is the difference between an ungrouped meteorite and an unclassified meteorite?

  Dustin Dickens replied 5 days, 1 hour ago 1 Member · 0 Replies
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