Hi Geoff, Steve and list members,
THIS IS SO AWESOME!
I AM SPEECHLESS!
See what happens when you go out and search!
Steve, I am amazed and how did you know it was way down there? ;-)
Story please!!!!!
With best regards,
Moni
From: "Notkin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com>
Subject: [meteorite-list] Steve Arnold Discovers Brenham Main Mass
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:40:07 -0700
Dear Friends and Listees:
Steve is in the field and has asked me to post the following press release
on his behalf.
Steve did not quote any prices to the media, so the $12 million figure is
just one of those colorful media exaggerations. However, the pallasite is
extraordinary and is definitely oriented (something you cannot really see
in these photos) -- it's one big nose cone. Additional photos will be
forthcoming.
The find, at 1,400 pounds, beats the next largest Brenham found by
Stockwell in 1949 (1,000 lbs) and therefore becomes the main mass. I'm sure
you'll all want to join me in congratulating our friend Steve on this find
of a lifetime.
I know you all want to see the photos, taken by Steve's partner Phil Mani,
so here they are:
http://www.aerolite.org/brenham.htm
Well done Steve!!
Geoff
***********************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2005
WORLD RECORD METEORITE UNEARTHED BY HUNTER IN KANSAS
A 1,400-pound stony-iron pallasite meteorite found in Kiowa County is the
largest of its type ever recovered in the United States, and the third
largest in history
Steve Arnold, 39, a professional meteorite hunter from Arkansas has found
and excavated a meteorite weighing almost three quarters of a ton from a
farmers field near Haviland, Kansas. The discovery was made in late
October using sophisticated metal detecting equipment. It is one of the
most valuable meteorite finds ever made in the United States and is of
historic and scientific importance.
Meteorites rocks that have fallen to Earth from outer space are of
considerable value to both scientists and private collectors. Meteorite
collecting is a growing hobby, with thousands of enthusiasts worldwide
willing to pay high prices for these rare sky rocks.
Brenham meteorites, named after the Kiowa Country township in Kansas, were
first found in the area during the 1890s, when frontier farmers sold a
number of them to universities and mineral dealers. Brenham specimens are
today on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the
Field Museum in Chicago, and other prominent institutions. They are of a
rare type, known as pallasites, which account for only 1% of all known
meteorites. Pallasites consist of a nickel-iron matrix full of colorful
olivine crystals (the semi-precious gemstone peridot) and are very
beautiful when cut and polished. Well prepared pallasite specimens often
sell for between twenty and forty dollars per gram.
Mr. Arnolds discovery is the largest pallasite ever found in America, and
the largest oriented pallasite meteorite ever found anywhere in the world.
An oriented meteorite is one which has traveled through Earths atmosphere
without spinning and formed a conical or bullet shape as its surface
melted. Oriented pallasites are extremely rare and highly prized by museums
and private collectors.
Steve Arnold was born in Kansas, and has been thinking about Brenham
meteorites for more than a decade. I traveled all over the world hunting
for meteorites, but came home to make my most important discovery. I was
just sure there were more of them out there waiting to be found, he said.
Mr. Arnold and his partner Phil Mani a geologist and oil and gas attorney
from San Antonio, Texas made arrangements with local landowners, which
allowed them to search for the deeply-buried meteorites. The 1,400-pound
specimen was recovered at considerable depth, and a back hoe was needed to
lift it.
Dr. Art Ehlmann, Curator of the Oscar E. Monnig Meteorite Gallery at Texas
Christian University in Fort Worth visited the site last week, and
described Mr. Arnolds discovery as the most significant American
meteorite find in decades.
###
Video footage of the meteorite excavation is available.
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