Mars Meteorite & Asteroid Chunk at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum

The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in Bethel is a geological treasure trove with a world class collection of minerals, gems, meteorites and more.

Martian Meteorite and Asteroid Chunk

The largest known Martian meteorite named Taoudenni 002 can be found in the museum. The largest lunar meteorite ever found on Earth is there, as well as the biggest chunk of asteroid 4 Vesta.

6,000 Extraterrestrial Rocks

The museum also prominently features geological exhibits found in Maine with over 57,000 specimens, including 37,940 minerals and 6,000 extraterrestrial rocks.

15,000-Square-Feet Museum

The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum was opened in 2019 in a 15,000-square-foot building. There are four galleries and 19 interactive exhibits.

More Information

The museum is located at 99 Maine Street in Bethel and is open to the public, educators and researchers. For more information, go to their homepage and Facebook.

LOOK: The history behind all 63 national parks in the US

The National Parks System manages 63 national parks. Stacker analyzed NPS info to compile the history and features of each.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

Gallery Credit: Alexander Raeburn