Rockhounding.org

Meteorites Found in Connecticut: 5 Documented

Connecticut has 5 officially recognized meteorites5 witnessed falls and 0 finds. The largest, Weston (H4ordinary chondrite (high iron)), weighed 150 kg. The record here spans 206 years — from Weston in 1807 to Wolcott in 2013.

5 ordinary chondrites

Classification

Fell vs. found

Connecticut Meteorites

Classification
= witnessed fall

The full record

5 meteorites · exact coordinates in the map popups; entries marked “location withheld” are protected by the scientific record.

WestonH4☄ Fell 1807150 kg
Wethersfield (1982)L6☄ Fell 19822.8 kg
WolcottL5☄ Fell 2013838 g
Wethersfield (1971)L6☄ Fell 1971350 g
StratfordL6☄ Fell 197450 g

Reading the classifications

H, L, LL (ordinary chondrites)

The most common meteorites — stony, with visible metal flecks. H = high iron content, L = low, LL = very low. The digit (3–6) says how much the parent asteroid heated it: 3 is the most pristine.

Carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CV, CO…)

Primitive, carbon-bearing stones that predate the planets — some carry water-bearing minerals and amino acids. Fragile and rare on the ground.

Irons (IAB, IIIAB…)

Solid nickel-iron from the shattered cores of asteroids. Dense, magnetic, and the easiest meteorites to recognize — most of the biggest US finds are irons.

Pallasites & mesosiderites (stony-irons)

The showpieces: pallasites are gem-quality olivine suspended in polished metal, from the core-mantle boundary of destroyed asteroids.

Achondrites (eucrite, howardite…)

Volcanic rocks from bodies large enough to melt — most trace to the asteroid Vesta; the rarest are from the Moon and Mars.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many meteorites have been found in Connecticut?

5 meteorites from Connecticut are officially recognized in the scientific record — 5 witnessed falls and 0 finds.

What's the biggest meteorite ever found in Connecticut?

Weston, a H4 (ordinary chondrite (high iron)) weighing 150 kg, which fell in 1807.

Can I hunt for meteorites in Connecticut?

On BLM-managed public land, casual collecting is legal without a permit: surface finds, up to 10 lb per person per year, personal use only. National parks prohibit all collecting, and on private land the meteorite belongs to the landowner. Always verify land status before hunting.

How do I know if a rock is a meteorite?

Quick field checks: meteorites are unusually dense, most attract a magnet (iron-nickel content), fresh ones have a thin black fusion crust, and many show regmaglypts (thumbprint-like depressions). Slag and magnetite are the common false alarms — our 60-second field test walks through all of it.

⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.

Coordinates are historical find locations from the scientific record, often approximate — not guaranteed collecting spots; verify land status and permissions before hunting. Source of record: Meteoritical Bulletin Database (Meteoritical Society).