For many of us, with regards to the more common types meteorite identification is fairly straightforward.
Chondrites most of us could easily identify. And many of the achondrites are fairly easy to spot as well. But the final word, when questions of authenticity exist lie with institutions aligned with the Meteoritical Society; Nomenclature Committee. Recently much dispute has occurred over alleged lunar and Martian samples. These are difficult to identify, for unless they possess a clearly defined fusion crust they resemble terrestrial rocks so closely that it would take a sharp eye to sort them out from ordinary rocks. And even should one do so, and have what they suspect to be a lunar or Martian meteorite, it is not to be said that such is the case until the Meteoritical Society, Nomenclature Committee confirms it. Provisional or official NWA, DAG, Dhofar, and other such #'s are not arbitrarily assigned, nor are they to be assigned by the finder. Such is the domain of the Nomenclature Committee. With new meteorite finds... It is not officially a meteorite, lunar, planetary, or asteroidal with a name until the Meteoritical Society confirms it. With this in mind all new finds must not only pass the tests and analysis of a reputable institution(s), but be accepted by the Meteoritical Society, Nomenclature Committee. That is the bottom line. Steve Schoner IMCA #4470 http:/www.geocities.com/meteorite_identification http:/www.geocities.com/american_meteorite_survey __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus.yahoo.com ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
