Is it a Meteorite ☄️ or a MeteorWRONG? WITH SPECIAL GUEST DANIEL SHIEKH Rock IDs for May 2025

On the third Wednesday of every month, the Knowledge Bolide Crew gathers to examine rock submissions from our valued Patreon Rockhound and Hunter Supporters. Drawing from our collective expertise in planetary science, geology, and meteoritics, we aim to determine whether these specimens are true meteorites or intriguing terrestrial lookalikes. This session features fascinating submissions from Samuel and Wren. Each identification session is a learning opportunity for enthusiasts of all levels. Over the months, we've evaluated the strengths and limitations of common ID techniques including magnetic response, streak testing, nickel content screening, and XRF analysis. In this episode, we took a deeper dive into density measurements, also known as specific gravity, and their diagnostic value in meteorite identification. This month’s discussion was enriched by contributions from our entire crew, with Pat Brown offering detailed insights on density evaluation, and resident geologist Mike Kelly providing expert commentary. We were also joined by a special guest: Daniel Sheikh, an official meteorite classifier with over 360 classified specimens to his name. Daniel is a rising star in the meteoritics community, and we’re always honored when he shares his time and knowledge during our hangouts. Whether you’re a collector, a curious newcomer, or a dedicated rockhound, these sessions are packed with valuable takeaways to help sharpen your ID skills and deepen your understanding of planetary materials. If you’re looking to sharpen your meteorite identification skills, we highly recommend checking out the in-depth educational resources we’ve created. These playlists represent countless hours of work by Topherspin Meteorites and the Knowledge Bolide Crew and are packed with valuable information: 🔍 Rock IDs, Meteorite or Meteorwrong Playlist:    • Meteorite or Meteorwrong Monthly Rock ID V...   🔍 Helpful videos for Rockhounders who think they may have found (or want to find) a meteorite:    • Videos for Rockhounders   🔍 XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) Testing Explained:    • Testing Suspect Meteorites MeteorWRONGs Ro...   As our community grows, we’ve noticed a recurring challenge—many of the rock ID videos we receive are difficult to assess due to low resolution, shaky footage, poor focus, or unclear narration. While we do our best to provide constructive feedback, we also want to ensure that our viewers have the best possible experience when watching our sessions. Because of this, we’re considering a new Patreon membership tier that would allow supporters to send their rocks directly to us for hands-on examination, ensuring that their specimens are presented clearly and professionally. We also understand that the video submission process is stressful for many of our supporters and we want to make this easier for them. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this idea! 🚀 Become a Rockhound/Hunter Supporter on Patreon for $25.00/month and gain access to: • One Rock ID Video submission every month • Exclusive content & behind-the-scenes access • Chat & interact with our knowledgeable crew • And much more!   / topherspin   And don’t forget—our sessions are always full of surprises! Every once in a while, Topher’s reputation in the meteoritic science field attracts esteemed experts who drop in to share their insights. You never know who might show up next time! If you think you’ve found a space rock, sign up for our Patreon Rockhound/Hunter Supporter membership today to have your potential meteorite featured in our June video! Join this channel to get access the Member's Only videos:    / @topherspinmeteorites   Some of my meteorites for sale: (Contact us on Facebook or at [email protected] - SAVE MONEY BY CONTACTING US DIRECTLY INSTEAD OF PURCHASING ONLINE) https://www.tinyurl.com/topherspin ******************************************************** I am unable to look at or help you ID your stones. PLEASE DO NOT ASK. Do not post a link to your rock video. Do not try to sell anything here. Do you believe that you really have a meteorite? The Facebook Groups I recommend have a bunch of knowledgeable geologists and meteorite people in there. Submit quality pictures to: www.facebook.com/groups/isitameteorite or www.facebook.com/groups/meteorite.or.meteorwrong Places to buy my meteorites www.ebay.com/usr/topherspin www.facebook.com/TopherspinMeteorites/shop www.etsy.com/shop/TopherspinMeteorites www.instagram.com/topherspin_meteorites