MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR FIELD TRIP TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO'S METEORITE MUSEUM AND GEOLOGY MUSEUM

Northrop Hall, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

The Meteorite Museum and Geology Museums at the University of New Mexico offer unique opportunities for students to see meteorites, minerals, rocks, and fossils, and information about their origin. If the teacher requests well ahead of time, students may also get to meet one of the scientists — and learn more about this exciting field.

For students to get the most out of their field trip experience, we offer pre-, during-, and post-field trip activities based on the New Mexico Science Standards. We have found that students who are well prepared for their field trip show more interest in our museums and ask more meaningful questions.

We hope that you enjoy your museum visit and find this resource helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail us at iom@unm.edu.

Please click here for current hours.

For further information about the Geology Museum, go to the Geology Museum homepage

Check out some of the missions we’re involved with!

Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) investigates previously unexamined Apollo samples, kept pristine for decades, in the style of a new sample return mission. ANGSA promotes teaching future generations the techniques of sample analysis and prepares for Artemis lunar sample return and beyond. 

Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam), an instrument on the Curiosity rover, uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and a Remote Micro Imager (RMI) to analyze rock and soil composition on Mars. 

Dawn is an orbiter sent to Vesta, a giant asteroid, and Ceres, a dwarf planet, in 2007. These bodies provide clues to how planets form and evolve.  

Want to see more meteorites or get more familiar with our samples?

The Meteoritical Bulletin is the official database for categorized meteorites. Search by meteorite name, fall or find year, classification and more. 

NASA Astromaterials 3D provides 3D scans of samples (from return missions and meteorites) that you can manipulate to view in 360 and in slices. 

The Virtual Microscope lets you manipulate thin sections of lunar samples, Martian meteorites, and a variety of extraterrestrial materials.