Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Michigan Farm Doorstop Identified as IIIAB Iron Meteorite
For many years, a Michigan farm used a heavy rock to hold a barn door open.
The rock had been found in 1939, but no one knew it came from space.
In 2018, another meteorite fell nearby, making the farm’s later owners wonder about their rock.
They took it to Central Michigan University to be studied.
Researchers looked at its surface and examined a small slice with scientific tools.
They found patterns and materials that are found in iron meteorites.
The rock was classified as part of the IIIAB group.
In 2019, it was officially recognized as the Edmore meteorite.
A 10.22-kilogram rock found on an Edmore farm in 1939 was used as a barn doorstop for decades.
After a meteorite fell near Hamburg, Michigan, in January 2018, the farm’s later owners brought the rock to Central Michigan University for examination.
Researchers identified it as an iron meteorite and sent a sample to the Smithsonian Institution for further analysis.
Testing revealed a Widmanstätten pattern and minerals including kamacite, taenite and schreibersite.
The specimen was classified as a medium octahedrite in the IIIAB group and officially recognized as Edmore, Michigan, in 2019.
- Who
- The later owners of the Edmore farm, Central Michigan University researcher Monaliza Sirbescu, and Smithsonian Institution researchers.
- What
- A rock used as a barn doorstop was identified and officially recognized as an iron meteorite in the IIIAB group.
- When
- Found in 1939; examined after January 2018; officially approved in 2019.
- Where
- An Edmore farm in Michigan; examined at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, with a sample sent to the Smithsonian Institution.
- Why
- A meteorite fall near Hamburg, Michigan, prompted the farm’s later owners to investigate whether their rock was also a meteorite.
Reported 1939 fall
Official database status
Whether the meteorite was seen falling
Reported 1939 fall
The Meteoritical Bulletin reports that the rock was seen falling near Edmore in 1939 and later recovered on a farm.
Official database status
The official database has changed the status of the 1939 fall to doubtful, even though the specimen itself is recognized as a meteorite.
- Mass
- 10.22 kilograms
- Approximate dimensions
- 17 × 20 × 23 centimetres
- Discovery
- Found on an Edmore farm in 1939
- Examination
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant
- Further analysis
- A sample was sent to the Smithsonian Institution
- Classification
- Iron meteorite, medium octahedrite, IIIAB group
- Official recognition
- Approved in 2019 as Edmore, Michigan
- Database note
- The Meteoritical Bulletin changed the status of the reported 1939 fall to doubtful
