UCLA Meteorite Collection

Exploring the history of our Solar System

More than 1,500 meteorites comprise UCLA’s collection. Built over the past 80 years, it is the largest collection on the west coast and the second largest housed at a university. Around 100 of these ‘space rocks’ are on display at the UCLA Meteorite Gallery, which is free and open to the public.

Meteorites are rocks that have fallen to Earth from space. They provide UCLA scientists and students with clues about the origin and formation of our planet and the early Solar System.

Gallery curator John Wasson said, “The collection is important for UCLA because researchers can get samples very quickly and look at significant pieces they can hold in their hands.”

These include a rare specimen from Mars, a 357-lb Canyon Diablo meteorite, and beautiful pallasite meteorites. The gallery is a highlight of UCLA’s annual Exploring Your Universe event, which attracts over 5,000 visitors to campus from the local community.

Donations help UCLA scientists acquire new meteorites of scientific significance, support educational programs, and provide vital funding to continually improve and expand the gallery. Located in Room 3697 of the Geology Building on campus, it is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m and Sundays 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with docents present.