The Distruction of Ancient Meteorite Magnetism

Researchers just published a study in JGR planets called hand magnets. They specifically focus on a very special meteorite called the Martian meteorite NWA 7034. It's by looking at how the crystals inside of it are actually aligned that we can learn things about the magnetic field from whence it came. Unfortunately, amateur astronomers or meteorite hunters and sometimes professionals have a simple, low-cost task to see what type of meteorite we're dealing with: hold a magnet up to it.