Data Sources & Methodology

MeteorIndex organizes publicly available meteorite and fireball records from NASA's Meteorite Landings dataset and the CNEOS Fireball API into a searchable educational database. We standardize names, dates, coordinates, and classifications to make the data easier to explore and understand.

Primary Data Sources

NASA Meteorite Landings Dataset

Our meteorite data comes from NASA's Meteorite Landings dataset, which is maintained by The Meteoritical Society and hosted on NASA's Open Data Portal. This dataset includes over 45,000 meteorite records with information about:

  • Meteorite name and NASA identifier
  • Classification type (e.g., L5, H6, CM2, Iron-IVA)
  • Mass in grams
  • Fall type (observed fall vs. found specimen)
  • Year of discovery or observed fall
  • Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude)

License: Public Domain. Original source maintained by The Meteoritical Society.

CNEOS Fireball and Bolide Database

Our fireball data comes from the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) Fireball Database, operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This database records bright meteor events (fireballs) detected by U.S. government sensors. Each record includes:

  • Date and time of the event (UTC)
  • Geographic coordinates of peak brightness
  • Altitude at peak brightness
  • Velocity and velocity components
  • Total radiated energy (joules)
  • Approximate impact energy (kilotons of TNT equivalent)

License: Public Domain. Maintained by NASA/JPL-Caltech.

How We Process the Data

When we import data from these sources, we apply several processing steps to improve usability:

  • Name standardization — Meteorite names are cleaned and formatted consistently. Slugs are generated for URL-friendly identifiers.
  • Classification grouping — Individual classification codes (e.g., L5, H6, CM2) are mapped to broader classification groups (e.g., Ordinary Chondrites, Carbonaceous Chondrites, Iron Meteorites) based on established taxonomic standards.
  • Country derivation — When the source data includes coordinates but not country names, we derive the country using geographic bounding box calculations.
  • Unit conversions — Mass values are stored in grams and converted to kilograms, tonnes, pounds, and ounces for display. Energy values are converted between joules, kilotons, and contextual equivalents.
  • SEO metadata — Titles and descriptions are generated algorithmically for each record to ensure consistent and accurate page metadata.

Update Frequency

We periodically re-import data from both sources to capture newly added records. The NASA Meteorite Landings dataset is updated infrequently (as new meteorites are classified and added by The Meteoritical Society), while the CNEOS Fireball database is updated more regularly as new fireball events are detected.

Accuracy & Limitations

MeteorIndex is a secondary reference tool, not a primary data source. While we strive for accuracy, the data is only as reliable as its original sources. Known limitations include:

  • Some historical meteorite records may have imprecise coordinates or missing fields.
  • Classification codes may change as specimens are re-analyzed by researchers.
  • Fireball energy estimates are approximations based on sensor data.
  • Country derivation from coordinates may be inaccurate for meteorites found near national borders or at sea.

For authoritative records, we recommend consulting the original sources directly:

MeteorIndex is an independent project and is not affiliated with NASA, JPL, CNEOS, or The Meteoritical Society. All data is sourced from publicly available, public domain records.