Meteorites Don’t Find Themselves: Metal Detectors Turn Luck into Science

In the heat of the desert, Ali Benamar holds a heavy meteorite he has just found. The moment looks perfect—except for one missing element.

A metal detector！

Image source: 𓂀 Into The Chasm 𓂀, via Facebook

Serious meteorite hunting is not just about sharp eyes or good luck. The reason is simple: meteorites contain iron and nickel, making them ideal targets for metal detectors. Without a detector, meteorite hunting is mostly about luck. With one, it becomes a systematic and efficient search.

Deserts are excellent places to hunt meteorites. The ground is often clean, contrast is high, and large meteorites can sometimes be spotted with the naked eye. However, these visible finds represent only a small portion of what’s actually there. Most meteorites are buried under sand, completely hidden from view. This is especially true for small meteorites weighing only a few grams or tens of grams—nearly impossible to find without a detector.

The advantage of a metal detector becomes even clearer when the ground is cluttered, when searching areas already scanned visually by others, or when time is limited. Depending on eyesight alone means hoping for luck. A metal detector allows you to search methodically, cover more ground, and find targets your eyes will never see.

In meteorite hunting, the desert offers opportunity—but a metal detector turns chance into results.