Iron Meteorites

Iron meteorites consist of almost entirely nickel and iron.  During the early years of our solar system, large asteroids melted and its nickel and iron sank to the core of the asteroid. Depending on the specific group and sub type of an iron meteorite, its crystal structure (also known as a Widmanstätten pattern) can be revealed through acid etching - a process that requires skillful work from a professional who will properly stabilize, slice and polish a meteorite prior to the etching phase.  This pattern is what we call a meteorite's thumbprint - a unique pattern that cannot be reproduced on any terrestrial iron and requires cooling of 1 single degree every 10,000 years.