On Tue, 12 February 2002, "Graham Christensen" wrote > > This is true. I myself have many tiny chips and pieces of meteorite but I > have an NWA that I got from Dean Bessey that is 285 grams. I am glad that I > had the opportunity to obtain a meteorite of its size. It has given me a > better idea of what a meteorite would probably look like in an environment > where it might be weathered and I have been able to show it to many people > in my school, many of whom have shown great interest. Besides, I don't think > that the information about the strewnfields is all that important to > science, the physics of meteorite falls and the formation of strewnfields is > already well known. What needs to be studied is the meteorites themselves > and the best way to do this is to have nomads out there searching to make a > profit, finding the maximum amount of material. Am I right on this? This is > just my opinion. > > My 2 bits (of NWA meteorite) worth :) >
Graham, I think that you are absolutely right on this on all counts. Strewn field information, I think is important with regards to very large falls, such a Gibeon, Campo del Cielo, and other such events. Most important though are witnessed falls. Strewnfield data with regards to these is important. The visual observation of the fireball event coupled with the data derived from the fall scatter pattern can provide insight into the process of retardation of hypersonic bodies with irreguar shapes and motions in our atmosphere. (In this regard, some bolides, such as Pasamonte were observed to have a "corkscrew" motion). But with regards to the tons of NWA's I think it stupid and shortsighted to discount these as being "scientifically important" simply because they do not have strewnfield data. These should, instead, be considered potential bonaza to science. Cut them, make spheres of them, reduce them to dust, pop out chondurles for analysis-- the huge supply should make for some amazing discoveries. Steve Schoner, American Meteorite Survey. ************************************************************ > Graham Christensen > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.geocities.com/aerolitehunter > > >From: "Simon de Boer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: [meteorite-list] NWA meteorites blessing or omen ? > >Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 20:54:01 -0500 > > > > Edward and List : I am a junior and amateur collector. I've > >been interested in meteorites for as long as I can remember searching > > fields , rock piles wondering how I might wish a star to fall on > > my property. Having finally accumulated numerous specimens I sent > >pieces to Robt Haag who called me on the phone with the > >discouraging news that none of what I had a ton of beside my gas > >barrel was meteorite. > > At that point I did as Robt said and got Richard Nortons book > > and educated myself somewhat. I met a few helpful dealers , > >collectors, and got to look at the real thing. It was like a > >starved soul to be able to purchase pieces of meteorite at such > >reasonable prices and study them for myself. No it wasn t the > >dollars for me that I could make on them , I was just glad to > >buy them for what I could get them If I had to pay what some > >have paid to have a few grams of rare individuals I wouldn t have > >any today . I have shared pieces with many people who would > >otherwise been like me ignorant about what a meteorite looks and > >feels like. I can now bring and even give some to farmers and > >friends who otherwise would never even see the real thing much less > >care, but they marvel when they get to touch what we now take for > >granted. > > I spend hours looking over and over at all the variety of > >specimens I have from NWA and anyone who is interested can > >actually come and enjoy them also. I ve been asked if I can show > >what I have at the local fall fair I think its an excellent idea to > >bring them into schools and let childrens hold a star first hand and > >not look at it in a museum for 5 seconds and never experience > >them. the beauty of nature ought not be locked up and hoarded by > >those who can afford high priced ones alone ..There is lots to > >go around I m so thankful the price was in range where I didn t > >hesitate to get some rather than just keep looking and hoping > >someday to find one . Blessing UNWA for me perhaps someday I > >ll get some pieces classified and donate my 20 grams to the > >cause also without regret. > > I agree that perhaps alot more pairing could have been done > >I t could have been picked up more scientifically but it didn t > >happen and we won t turn back time to undo what has been done > >Make the best of the opportunity , I believe I'm doing that and > >there is nothing stopping anyone else either If I don t avail myself > >of it someone else will > > Simon > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com > > > ______________________________________________ > Meteorite-list mailing list > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list ___________________________________________________________________ Join the Space Program: Get FREE E-mail at http://www.space.com. ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
