Topherspin Meteorites

Knowledge Bolide Crew Hangout Highlights: Carbonaceous Chondrites, Thin Sections, Space History & Stupidly Beautiful Tattoos ☄️🐾

This week's Knowledge Bolide Hangout covered everything from rare carbonaceous chondrites and microscopic meteorite structures to Apollo-era lunar sample catalogs, spaceflight history, meteorite outreach, Moldavite, and even Topher's newest tattoo.

Professor Pat kicked things off by unveiling the first full slice produced after getting his wire saw back in action. The specimen, an unclassified meteorite believed to be a CK carbonaceous chondrite, sparked a lively discussion about chondrules, matrix-rich textures, CAIs, and the fascinating processes that shaped some of the Solar System's oldest materials. The crew explored how carbonaceous chondrites formed beyond Jupiter while somehow incorporating some of the earliest solids created near the Sun.

Topher followed with a closer look at a beautiful diogenite specimen, highlighting its fusion crust, unusual inclusions, and complex internal structure that became much easier to appreciate with improved camera zoom capabilities.

Dave then treated the crew to an impressive tour through polarized-light thin section images of Aba Panu (L3.6). Using an affordable digital microscope setup, he showcased stunning barred olivine chondrules, porphyritic olivine textures, pyroxene structures, armored chondrules, and evidence of early Solar System dust accretion. The discussion became an impromptu masterclass on chondrule formation and meteorite petrology.

Dr. Chris shared a fascinating look at ZLI 167, an unclassified meteorite belonging to the proposed "G Chondrite" working group. The specimen's unusually high metal content, shock-darkened silicates, metallic veins, and complex structure led to an engaging discussion about meteorite classification and the possibility of an entirely new chondrite group. Ain't nuthin but a G thang, baby!

Antho reported back from the Ventura Rock & Gem Show, where he assisted veteran meteorite dealer Michael Santos. He shared stories of introducing newcomers to meteorites, helping answer questions from the public, and displaying an eye-catching Imilac pallasite that amazed visitors. Anthony also showed off several new additions to his collection, including a dramatically deformed iron meteorite displaying an unusual impact-distorted Widmanstätten pattern and a beautifully shaped Gibeon specimen.

Bruiser took the crew beyond meteorites and into the world of human spaceflight with highlights from the National Space Society's International Space Development Conference. He shared rare Apollo 15 lunar sample catalogs, signed astronaut memorabilia, fascinating shuttle mission stories, and even discussed a potential future interview with planetary scientist Dr. Pascal Lee, whose work includes Antarctic meteorite recovery and Mars analog research.

Topher later showcased several remarkable pieces of Moldavite, explaining how authentic specimens reveal complex internal structures that extend throughout the glass rather than existing only on the surface. The crew explored natural etching patterns, bubble structures, and the processes that give Moldavite its unique appearance.

To close out the evening, Topher unveiled his newest tattoo: a tribute to Lil' Toasty the cat and Lil' Butters the world's most amazing dog. Featuring a piece of toast, a heart-shaped pat of melting butter, a paw print, and a claw mark, the tattoo was described in classic Topher fashion as "stupidly beautiful" and quickly became one of the night's most memorable show-and-tell moments.

As always, the hangout blended meteorite science, collecting, education, friendship, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting. Whether discussing Solar System formation, meteorite classification, lunar exploration, or pet-inspired artwork, the Knowledge Bolide Crew proved once again that you never quite know where the conversation will go next.

Meteorite & Moldavite Show & Tell ☄️CK, Thin section, Diogenite with Fusion Crust, Kaalijarv Knowledge Bolide Crew Hangout Highlights: Carbonaceous Chondrites, ...

Hey guys…. It’s Sue.

In just a few minutes, it will officially be June 2nd here in Arizona and do you know what that means???

Topher officially turns 55! ☄️🎂
AARP discounts!! Woo hoo!!!

To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to share our YouTube Birthday & Holiday Hangouts Playlist, a collection of some of our favorite themed Knowledge Bolide gatherings over the years.

The playlist includes everything from Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Christmas Eve, and New Year's celebrations to birthday-themed episodes featuring Crew Members Allison and Jules and even an interview with Geoff Notkin recorded on Father’s Day a few years ago. It also includes one of Topher's personal favorites: "Collecting Meteorites That Fell On June 2nd ☄️ My Birthday's Witnessed Falls 1843, 1863, 1915", where he takes a look at meteorites that share his birthday.

Looking back through these videos is a reminder that the Knowledge Bolide community has always been about more than just meteorites. It's about friendships, laughter, learning, traditions, and sharing special moments with amazing people from around the world.

If you've been part of one of these holiday or birthday hangouts over the years, we'd love to hear about your favorite memory in the comments!

Happy Birthday, Topher! 🎉☄️
Love you 💋💋💋

Birthday & Holiday Hangouts From spooky Halloween hangouts to Christmas celebrations, Thanksgiving gatherings, New Year's fun, an interview recorded with a meteorite legend on Father's ...

Check out this playlist - It's a work in progress, but it's already filled with bangers.....

THE METEORITE MANSION!! The Place to be at the Annual Tucson Rock, Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase

Every January and February, various members of the Knowledge Bolide Crew from around the world gather in Tucson, Arizona for what has become one of our favorite traditions: The Meteorite Mansion. Part meteorite convention, part family reunion, and part controlled chaos, these houses have hosted meteorite hunters, collectors, scientists, photographers, dealers, and friends for weeks of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

This playlist features videos from our 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026 Meteorite Mansion adventures. Join us as we attend the Tucson Rock Show, record live segments, cut meteorites, compare microscopes, share photography techniques, enjoy sponsored dinners and parties, play poker for outrageously ridiculous prizes, and spend time with some of the most passionate people in the meteorite community. 2021 was canceled due to COVID and 2025 was actually scaled down and called The Bolide Bros Bungalow.

Not every house was created equal. Some years brought true mansions, while 2023's legendary "Regmaglypt Ranch" looked like it had survived a direct meteorite bombardment. But whether luxurious or laughably rough around the edges, every house became home for a few weeks and created memories we'll cherish forever.

If you're involved in the meteorite world, chances are you've stopped by Meteorite Mansion at least once. And if you haven't... well, remember, it's invite only. We have standards, after all. 😉☄️🏠

THE METEORITE MANSION!! The Place to be at the Annual Tucson Rock, Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase Every January and February, various members of the Knowledge Bolide Crew from around the world gather in Tucson, Arizona for what has become one of our favor...

Knowledge Bolide Crew Cuts: Meteorite Show & Tell Highlights ☄️

Ever wonder what happens during a Knowledge Bolide Hangout?

This highlight reel is a small sample of the meteorite madness, scientific discussions, collecting stories, and unexpected discoveries that unfold during our weekly online gatherings. In this episode, you'll see an incredible Howardite with a possible carbonaceous inclusion, a collector who assembled specimens from all three major March 2026 meteorite falls, rare angrite material from D'Orbigny, breathtaking thin sections, newly classified meteorites, historic Canyon Diablo provenance research, and some truly spectacular meteorite eye candy.

Along the way, IMCA President Roberto V. drops in with some amazing show-and-tell specimens, On Staff Geologist Mike K. reveals stunning thin-section work from extremely rare material, Ryan T. shares a newly classified Vestan meteorite, and the crew dives into discussions about shock veins, melt breccias, meteorite history, and what separates ordinary rocks from extraordinary space rocks.

Our weekly Knowledge Bolide Hangouts are open to everyone, whether you're a seasoned collector, a meteorite hunter, or someone who just discovered meteorites yesterday. We meet online every Wednesday at 5:30PM Arizona time and new faces are always welcome.

What you're watching here is a highlight reel pulled from a much longer session. (THREE TIMES LONGER - JUST RELEASED EARLIER TODAY - MAY 30, 2026!) Some of the educational segments, special presentations, and bonus content that come out of these hangouts are released as Members Only videos for our supporters.

Patreon supporters receive the most complete experience, including access to our private community, exclusive content, special events, and direct interaction with the crew.
https://www.patreon.com/topherspin

YouTube Members also receive access to Members Only videos and additional supporter content.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbER0JO6jrcMfdMdf26CbOg/join

If you've ever wanted to spend an evening hanging out with meteorite hunters, collectors, scientists, educators, and some of the friendliest space rock nerds on the planet, we'd love to see you at a future hangout.

FAIR WARNING: Prolonged exposure to the Knowledge Bolide may result in an uncontrollable desire to buy meteorites, learn thin-section petrography, and spend way too much time staring at fusion crust. ☄️

https://youtu.be/DuI44qOXVfk

Knowledge Bolide Crew Cuts: Meteorite Show & Tell Highlights ☄️FULL VIDEO RELEASED FOR MEMBERS ONLY Ever wonder what happens during a Knowledge Bolide Hangout?This highlight reel is a small sample of the meteorite madness, scientific discussions, collecting...

This playlist is a work in progress. I am still combing through our 500+ videos to find all of the ones that feature hammer stones, but I think I have a pretty good collection so far!

Hammer Stones ☄️🔨

Meteorites don't just fall from the sky—they occasionally hit things too! In the meteorite community, these rare events are often called "HAMMER STONES" because the meteorite strikes a person, animal, vehicle, home, building, or some other object during its arrival on Earth. Topher keeps hoping that he will eventually be hit by a meteorite..... Fingers crossed! This playlist features stories, interviews, and discussions about some of the most fascinating hammer falls and impact events ever recorded. If you enjoy meteorites, history, and hearing about the rare occasions when space rocks pick an unfortunate target, this playlist is for you! ☄️🏠🚗💥

Hammer Stones Hammer Stones ☄️🔨 Meteorites don't just fall from the sky—they occasionally hit things too! In the meteorite community, these rare events are often called "h...

IS IT FROM SPACE? 👽 Meteorite or MeteorWRONG? ☄️ 5 Rock IDs - May 2026

The Knowledge Bolide Crew returns for their 262nd weekly hangout in a row with another long-form “Meteorite or Meteorwrong” session featuring five rock submissions from Patreon supporters — including suspected Martians, a possible iron meteorite, and several convincing terrestrial “meteorwrongs.”

The night began with local Arizona Rockhound/Hunter supporter Epi Jr., who found a porous volcanic-looking specimen while gold hunting near Tonopah, Arizona. After comparing his rock to the Martian meteorite NWA 12241, Epi suspected he may have found a Martian. Prairie Girl Allison, Professor Pat, Dave, and on-staff geologist Mike discussed the specimen’s weak magnetic attraction, lack of true fusion crust, and porous low-density structure before concluding it was terrestrial volcanic material.

Returning supporter Travis K. submitted two specimens from northeast Ohio. His first rock was believed to be a possible iron meteorite due to shiny metallic-looking flecks. Allison requested live magnet and streak testing while Travis M, Dave, Professor Pat, and Topher compared the specimen against a real Gebel Kamil iron meteorite to demonstrate the dramatic density difference between a true iron and a terrestrial river rock.

Travis’s second submission, believed to be an ordinary chondrite, sparked a discussion involving Travis M, Ben, Prairie Girl Allison, Professor Pat, Dave, and Topher. The crew analyzed the specimen’s hard matrix, lack of metal blebs, absence of visible chondrules, water-worn exterior, and microscopic glassy grain structure before unanimously agreeing it was terrestrial.

Longtime supporter Shawn submitted the final two specimens of the evening. The first, a large rounded landscaping rock found near Stockton, California, featured strange pits and unusual internal inclusions. ANTHO, Geologist Boris, Prairie Girl Allison, Dave and Topher discussed the rock’s polished river-worn appearance, lack of magnetic response, and misleading internal structures before identifying it as a terrestrial river rock.

Shawn’s second specimen — a small flea market rock suspected to be Martian — became one of the most educational discussions of the night. Travis M, Boris, Dave, Professor Pat, and Topher examined the specimen’s black weathering rind, sedimentary layering features, lack of magnetic response, and uneven coating that initially resembled fusion crust before determining it was terrestrial.

The episode concluded with an educational segment from Professor Pat focused on Martian meteorite identification, including fusion crust, oxygen isotope testing, NWA 12241, and the rarity of Martian meteorites.

Sue also provided Patreon updates, clarified membership tiers, discussed the push toward 1,000 free Patreon members, and announced stricter Media Monday submission enforcement for White Glove supporters.

Topher also discussed the push toward getting 1,000 people signed up on our FREE Patreon membership tier.

IS IT FROM SPACE? 👽 Meteorite or MeteorWRONG? ☄️ 5 Rock IDs - May 2026 The Knowledge Bolide Crew returns for their 262nd weekly hangout in...

Hey guys.... One of our YouTube viewers commented on one of our iron restoration series videos with a question. We were wondering if you could help out with some recommendations, especially if you're familiar with what chemicals are legal to purchase in Japan?

"I am writing this comment because I would highly appreciate some advice if you don't mind. I am a meteorite collector living in Japan. In Japan, purchasing nitric acid is strictly regulated by law, so it is common for individuals to use ferric chloride for etching. However, when I etch with ferric chloride, the surface turns dull and frosty compared to the clean, sharp finish achieved with Nital. Even when I tried diluting the acid concentration, the result was the same.
​
Could you please let me know if there are any alternative chemicals or methods that can achieve a clear finish close to Nital?"

🚨 SLAG HAPPENS HAS FINALLY BEEN RECORDED 🚨

And an official CALL TO ACTION and your chance to see your name included in a future Topherspin Meteorites YouTube video- Keep reading to the end!

After multiple postponements, delays, scheduling chaos and enough slag jokes to last a lifetime… we FINALLY recorded our massive Slag Happens presentation on Wednesday, May 13th. ☄️

Now comes the hard part.

Please be patient as Topher works on the edit in between his day job, helping Sue manage Topherspin Meteorites and spending time with his awesome little family — his wife Sue, the world’s cutest dog Lil’ Butters and our mischievous cat Toasty. We also have our May Rock ID Night coming up on May 20th, which we are hoping to have edited and posted before the end of the month as well.

This is officially the longest segment we have recorded in… honestly, probably YEARS. The raw, pre-edit runtime is WELL over two hours, so this one is going to be an absolute doozy. Thankfully, all of the preparation Sue, Topher and Mike put into the presentation beforehand — along with the many precautions we took during recording — should hopefully help speed up the editing process.

For those of you who were not present during the live recording, we ended the presentation with a special CALL TO ACTION for the entire Knowledge Bolide community. Later this summer, sometime around July, we plan to record a shorter follow-up video covering:

☄️ THE TOP TEN ROCKS MOST COMMONLY MISTAKEN FOR METEORITES ☄️

Half of these will be slag or slag-adjacent materials, while the other half will focus on naturally occurring terrestrial “meteorwrongs.”

We are asking our followers, subscribers, supporters, viewers, customers, crew members — however you are connected to Topherspin Meteorites — to help contribute examples for this future video.

We are looking for HIGH QUALITY photos and/or videos of:

• Industrial Slag
• Coal Clinkers
• Hematite Nodules
• Magnetite Rocks
• Iron Concretions
• Basalt Lava
• Furnace Byproducts
• Railroad Ballast Slag
• Pyrite-Rich Rocks
• Manmade Iron Fragments

And please… don’t be bashful or embarrassed about your slag or terrestrial rock collection. Once you see the final Slag Happens video, you’ll understand very quickly that some slag is genuinely beautiful, fascinating and even collectible in its own right. We made this presentation to EDUCATE people on the differences between slag and meteorites — not to insult slag or terrestrial rock collectors or put these materials down. This future follow-up video will focus on BOTH slag and naturally occurring meteorwrongs.

We will announce the official YouTube release date for Slag Happens once the edit is complete. Expect the final edited version to be long and absolutely PACKED with educational excellence presented by Topher Spinnato and The Knowledge Bolide Crew’s very own on-staff geologist Mike Kelly.

📂 UPLOAD YOUR PHOTOS & VIDEOS HERE:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yZKHGPzUfPD1mAyD1lAEjDfZLzIrdp_g?usp=sharing

IMPORTANT UPLOAD INSTRUCTIONS:

• Please create your own folder within this folder on our drive
• Rename your folder using the name you would like credited in the YouTube video (full name, alias, YouTube handle, first initial + last name, etc.)
• Please do NOT upload 20 photos/videos of the same specimen expecting us to review and choose one for you. We do not have time to review that many photos and videos.
• Simply upload your BEST photo or video of each specimen you want to share with us.
• There is no limit to how many specimens you can upload. Feel free to share your entire collection with us as long as the specimens are one of the ten types we are looking for.
• Rename the file after the specimen itself (example: “Coal Clinker” or “Basalt Lava”)
• Media must be high quality, high resolution, properly focused and well lit to be considered for inclusion
• All submissions are not guaranteed to be included in the final video.

Once we review your upload, we will likely download the media and remove it from the shared folder so nobody else can accidentally edit or alter your files. So please do not panic if your upload disappears after a while.

⏰ Deadline for uploads: END OF JUNE

Thank you to everyone who has continued supporting these long-form educational projects. We know this one has taken a while… but trust us… Slag Happens is going to be worth it.

JUST RELEASED TO YOUTUBE!

☄️ A Meteorite Through the Roof… and a Story You Won’t Believe

What starts as a strange spot on a ceiling turns into something straight out of a movie—an actual meteorite hiding in an attic after punching clean through a relatively new roof.

In this episode, Topher connects with homeowner Joshua Holmes, who shares the full story of how he discovered the stone buried under feet of insulation… exactly where you’d never think to look. And let’s just say—Joshua is exactly the kind of person you hope something like this happens to. Down-to-earth, thoughtful, and genuinely more interested in doing the right thing than cashing in.

Huge shoutout to Joshua’s wife as well, who sounds like an absolute gem—inviting Roberto Vargas over for a homemade meatloaf dinner, like it’s just another night, casually hosting one of the biggest meteorite hunters in the world after discovering that a literal rock from space crashed into their home. That’s the kind of hospitality you don’t forget.

The stone itself? A pristine, fully crusted individual weighing 238 grams, with stunning fusion crust and unmistakable impact evidence. No fragments. No nonsense. Just a beautiful, undeniable hammer event.

And speaking of Roberto—this is just another example of why he’s the guy. The connections, the timing, the trust—he consistently brings these unbelievable, behind-the-scenes moments straight to Topher and the Knowledge Bolide community before anyone else even knows what’s going on. These exclusives don’t just happen… they happen because of relationships.

Now, fair warning—this was one of those classic real-world interviews where the tech didn’t exactly cooperate. The Wi-Fi connection was struggling, the audio lagged here and there, and the video froze more times than we can count… but Topher did what Topher does—powered through it and made it work. Because when the story is this good, you don’t hit pause.

What really stands out here is the mindset. Joshua wasn’t chasing a payday—he wanted the meteorite to end up with someone who truly appreciated it. That kind of perspective is rare, and it’s exactly what keeps these stories meaningful.

This is one of those moments you can’t plan for. You can’t hunt it. You can’t buy your way into it.

Sometimes… the universe just picks a house. And this time, it picked the right house!

To check out Mike Kelly's Meteorite Times article, click here -
https://www.meteorite-times.com/accounts-of-the-fall-and-findings-in-blacksville-georgia/

https://youtu.be/z5SxW5_c_4A?si=yWiEJuQLfH-ErGqv

Topherspin Meteorites 4 likes. "👉 Space Rock Smashes Thru Roof! Roberto Vargas Reveals Wild Meteorite Hammer Fall Story ☄️"