Re: [meteorite-list] Is this an ethical way to treat a meteorite?
Hi Bill, I'm one of the subset of collectors who prefers the 'natural patina' on the surface of irons in general and I tend to go for the least treated specimens. That being said, some people clearly prefer the shiny treated irons, and if your process allows some kids at a show, say, to get an iron meteorite and get interested in the hobby, I'd say more power to you. I do think buyers should see or hear your clear explanation of the starting status of your material(maybe a demo 'before' and 'after' specimen or photo would be nice). How long have you observed these after cleaning? My mantra has always been that the gold standard for stability of irons is time on the shelf without rusting. Cheers, Jim Baxter Hello list, I have an assortment of OLD Campos I purchased from a guy who lives in a very humid climate. When I received them, they were extremely rusty, and big flakes of rust falling off every time I would even look sideways at them. I debated with trying the galvanic cleansing, wire brushing, shot peening, acid baths, etc. etc. or just slicing them up, and grinding off the crusty edges. In fact I have done all of these things to test pieces, with less than miraculous results. It was, and still is my personal belief that if the rust can be removed ENTIRELY, and Either soak them in trans fluid, or carnuba spray wax, that they will stabilize. In fact it appears I may have done so, but with some interesting side affects. I know many meteorite enthusiasts are against changing the natural appearance of a meteorite, with good reason, However considering the circumstances and possible repercussions of doing nothing at all I have transformed an old Campo. This process removes ALL rust, leaves small splotches of shiny fusion crust ( at least it sure appears to be ) and provides nice polish. It also appears to have stopped all further oxidation, and no sign of laurencite disease. I am not able to perform this process without the final polish, so I get stuck with a shiny meteorite. I have seen people go another step to remove the shine, I just kind of like it for now And on another note: As Joe Dirt said to Kickin wing, Well that might be your problem, its not what you like, its the consumer. I have shown rusty irons to people who scowl, and exclaim why do you think its a meteorite! But when I show them a polished Iron their faces light up in utter amazement, and will often offer $1 gram or more for them...Just something to consider. Please check out the photos on photo bucket, and let me know your honest opinions. If the consensus is that this is an EVIL thing to do to a meteorite I will surly take it into consideration. No doubt it will make some frown, and give some hope to others. Bill Hall http://s680.photobucket.com/albums/vv162/meteoritepictures/ __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Hunting in West, Texas - thanks to Mike Farmer and his team!
Hi Folks, A few thoughts and a BIG thanks to Mike and his team regarding my first and only meteorite hunt this past Thursday. As I was reading on the list, early this past week, about everyone's adventures hunting in Texas I realized I had a day and a half off work at the end of the week. On a whim checked out Southwest's prices to Texas and saw to my surprise that I could get out there and back for about $200. It seemed like too great an opportunity to miss; a fresh U.S. fall! I was especially motivated by Mike's earlier observation that with ploughing imminent many of the stones not found in the near future will be gone forever. I e-mailed Mike Farmer and asked if I could join his team for a day to which he kindly responded, I'd welcome that. I arrived at the search site around 8:45 just as Mike Cottingham's son, Christopher, found a gorgeous oriented complete stone. Good omen, I thought! I was so psyched I launched into hunting without changing out of my street shoes, to the amusement of the pro's. Mike took me under his wing and gave me a quick tutorial and off I went, eyes to the ground. I was getting a picture from Mike as we walked about how they had gone about their hunt in the past ten days. We were in flat open fields with lots of clumps of taller grass with more open areas in between with shorter grass. Surely many fine stones were hidden way beyond sight within the taller clumps- no way to find them at this point. The stones were there, though, some peeping through the shorter grass, some just sitting on the surface. I saw Mike Farmer, Greg Hupe, and McCartney Taylor find stones. The stones were, however, very widely dispersed. I'd say the ratio of pitch-black, roughly meteorite shaped 30 gram hunks of fresh animal dung to meteorites was about 1000 to one. The four finds I witnessed were hundreds of yards apart from each other. McCartney showed me how he grids an area adjacent to a find to try to systematically look for other pieces(many thanks, MT). I walked continuously except for a couple of 5 minute water breaks from about 8:45 am until sunset. I'm sure I walked at least 20 miles. Alas no stone for me! Mike was kind enough to stick with me and keep looking as the sun was setting. He was rewarded by finding a stone in the dying light( I think his third of the day). It was really disappointing not to find my own stone but it was an amazing experience nonetheless. I had talked to several 'pro's' who had had days with zero meteorites found so I knew up front that getting 'skunked' was a possibility. On the plus side, I got to meet Mike Cottingham and his son, Christopher, Eric Wichman and his wife, and Greg Hupe. McCartney and Robert Ward who I knew from Tucson were there in the field. At one point in the day, Mike, McCartney, Greg and I talked to the lady who owned the property and who was kind enough to give us permission to hunt there. She gave a great account of hearing a house-rattling explosion and going out to see a smoke cloud overhead with spirals extending from it. Overall a super educational experience. In the fading light I shook Mike's hand and thanked him for his generosity in letting me join them in the hunt for a day. I was sad not to have found one but felt the experience itself was well worth the effort and money spent. I would recommend it to anyone if there is a fall anywhere near you. I was shocked when Mike reached over and handed me a bag containing a 5.9 gram gorgeous fully crusted meteorite he had found earlier and said, Here, I can't let you leave here without a meteorite. I couldn't believe his generosity. As I told him in an email thanking him again, based on both the experience of hunting and the good heartedness of his gift, if bad times arrive and I have to sell off every other meteorite I own, that one will definitely stay with me. Best wishes to all, Jim Baxter p.s. I now really have a visceral understanding about pricing on these stones. In a strewnfield like this where they are small, well hidden, and widely dispersed a full days hard work may just yield a few grams and many days yield none. A realistic price would have to be at a minimum, to just break even, the cost of travel, lodging and vehicles divided by grams found. And here the denominator is small leading to a high price by most ordinary chondrite standards. If these guys were scooping up bushels of them the price would be quite low but that's sadly not the case. Too bad because the interior of this one has fabulous fine brecciation and, as I learned here, there is nothing to compare to the texture of the crust of a just-fallen meteorite. p.p.s I've posted a few images: Stones as found before being moved: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/?action=viewcurrent=MikeFarmersstonefoundinthemorming.jpg http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/?action=viewcurrent=GregHupesstoneinsitu.jpg
Re: [meteorite-list] AD - NWA 5584- New Rumuruti for sale
Hello Carsten, Yes I would like it. I am not sure that I want to log into paypal from a hotel communal use computer. May I send you payment via paypal nexr week. Of course feel free to delay shipping until paid. My address on paypal is correct 1049 Woodland Avenue Menlo Park, California 94025 USA Best Wishes, Jim Baxter Hello Jim, many thanks for your email and the interest! Yes, the 1.0g. slice is available. If you like to buy it please pay 41 USD (shipping included) to my PayPal adress: korneliapoloc...@gmx.de Please let me also know your adress for shipping. Best greetings, Carsten __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] AD - NWA 5584- New Rumuruti for sale
Hello Carsten, Is the 1.0 gram slice still available, I would like it if available. I will not answer until tomorrow as I'm out of town(in Tucson). Best Wishes, Jim Baxter Dear List, we have a new beautiful R-Chondrite for sale, the provisional number for this rare Rumuruti is NWA 5584. Unlike other Rumuruti's this one is full off nice Chondrules! You will find some slices for sale here: http://www.gi-po.de/meteorit_verkauf_5584%20special.html Many thanks for viewing! Best greetings, Carsten __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] HELP ME PLEASE! A Tucson Photo Mystery!
Hi Mike, I've always gotten excellent display material from Jule-Art: www.jule-art.com Cheers, Jim Baxter Hi Listees! There is a photo on Geoff's new Tucson Show Guide website that shows a meteorite auction. In a display case are numerous specimens in Riker boxes and each Riker box is on a clear acrylic stand. The stands look like small plate stands, or something similar. I have been looking high and low for something just like this. Can someone PLEASE tell me what these easels are and where I can buy a gillion of them. http://tucsongemandmineralshows.net/tucson-show-photos/meteorite-auction.htm Thanks in advance and clear skies! MikeG . Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA) Member of the Meteoritical Society. Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network. Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com .. __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Northwest Africa Falls - Question
Hi Jeff, I believe your data about the story but I am surprised. I have to say that the pieces of Bensour I received are so pristine and rust free, both crust and interior, that of all the 'falls' listed I would have guessed that Bensour would have been the LEAST likely to have sat around any length of time after it fell. Just an observation. Cheers, Jim Baxter Please don't misunderstand me... I just said there was reason to be suspicious from a statistical point of view, and of course there is an obvious financial motive. But I was not saying that I thought any of the fall stories were false, since I never even tried to assess them. So let's see if there is consensus to be found here on these recent falls. I did a simple reading of the fall accounts and used google scholar to search for cosmogenic nuclide or other supporting data. Here are my zeroth order ratings of each fall story: Chergach - highly likely Bassikounou - highly likely Benguerir - probable Beni M'hira - probable Bensour - questionable Oum Dreyga - questionable The new one - nothing to evaluate Maigatari-Danduma - ignore since it isn't really in the NWA region Bensour is such a weak story that I'm leaning towards changing it from a fall to a find in my database, which is basically what the MetBull article also said. I'm not even sure how it got listed as a fall. Do any of you take issue with this? The Oum Dreyga story also has strange elements. The witnesses saw it falling on ... [the] mountains, which probably means that if there was a real fall, it was very distant. The fact that many of the stones were weathered also raises my doubts. So I rate this as weak. Anybody want to take the stand on Oum Dreyga's behalf? Or argue against any of the ones I called probable or highly likely? If two are really finds and one is eliminated because it is really not in this region, then we are left with 4 in the 2000s decade, plus the new one which remains to be seen. Four is certainly a more palatable number than eight from a blind statistical point of view, neglecting other sociological factors. Jeff Dr. Svend Buhl wrote: Interesting debate. Reminds me on the good old days of the Acedemie Francaise, the days before Biot and Chladni, where scientists doubted the accounts of local eyewitnesses on rocks falling from the skies for sociological reasons. As far as I am concerned, I still trust the people who measured e.g. the cosmogenic radionuclides of the meteorites produced by these recent falls. I absolutely doubt that the Swiss or French labs who worked on these stones made up their results just to make them fit the newspaper reports and eyewitness accounts. Svend Buhl - Original Message - From: Jeff Grossman jgross...@usgs.gov To: Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:27 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Northwest Africa Falls - Question Martin and list, Actually, there is something suspicious. Northwest Africa (the countries you listed plus Western Sahara and Tunisia) has seen between 0 and 3 falls per decade from the 1900s through the 1980s. The 1990s saw 6, and the 2000s have now got 8. There is no parallel increase in the rest of Africa, which in fact has been steadily declining in fall rates since the 1940s. Europe has also been declining since the 1930s (in fall rates), as has North America. I think northwest Africa is the only place in the world that is seeing any kind of increase in rate, and it has been dramatic, tripling in the last decade. The are various sociological reasons why this increase might have happened, which we can argue about. But there certainly IS something to raise ones eyebrows. Jeff Martin Altmann wrote: Hi Ryan, it's because of the iron mountain in Atlas, which still has to be found and which attracts with his magnetic field all iron-bearing lumps from space. No. Take a World map, hold little Europe (forget a little bit about Scandinavia), hold it against that NWA region, Algeria, Mali, Niger, Morocco, Mauretania And let's count the falls: Let's start with Zag 1998. NWA-Regions: Zag 1998 El Idrissa 1998 Djoumine 1999 Beni M'hira 2001 Bensour 2002 Oum Dreyga 2003 Maigatari-Danduma 2004 Benguerir 2004 Bassikounou 2006 Chergach 2007 And now the new possible fall. Europe: Ourique 1998 Leighlinbridge 1999 Moravka 2000 San Michele 2002 Neuschwanstein 2002 Alby sur Cheran 2002 Villalbeto 2004 Moss 2006 Puerto Lapice 2007 Romanian Fall 2008 11 : 11. So nothing suspicious. USA had 7 India 10 Best! Martin Ok Folks, I am curious to know why there are so many witnessed (recovered) meteorite falls in Northwest Africa as opposed to anywhere else in the world. Is there a good logical and/or scientifc explanation for this?.. or just a coincidence? I understand that some falls simply turn out to be a case of
[meteorite-list] TS storage
Hi Leigh Anne, As someone who is always itching to look at my specimens, I like keeping my thin sections in the little standard(~4 1/4 x 3 inch) Riker boxes. One can fit 3 standard slides parallel to the short side and another two parallel to the long side. They display nicely against the white cotton and you can see five all at once. I'm pretty paranoid about moisture given the high surface to weight ratio and keep the Riker mounts stored with dessicant in an airtight container when I'm not using them. I wonder what the list members' experience has been with both covered and uncovered thin sections? Cheers, Jim Baxter I was wondering if anyone could tell me the typical way that thin sections are collected. I know that they are on microscope slides, but do people typically keep those slides in an old microscope slide box, or drawer of some sort? Is there a protective type case that is typical of thin section collectors? My boyfriend is a custom woodworker, and it trying to figure out a way to build a storage case for these. Thanks in advance, Leigh Anne DelRay __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] TS storage
That's a good point, Ed. They certainly do stick on occasion so it would always be wise to open them carefully on a table. I've always had success so far (knock on wood) when the top sticks by using the pin as mini-lever, wedging the point into the bottom side of the box, a millimeter or two above the stuck bottom edge and gently lifting. I agree, though, it can be a delicate maneuver and caution is wise if you adopt this storage method. Regards, Jim I love using those little Riker boxes for displaying slices and small individuals. But I would be worried about a TS sliding out and hitting something crash and breaking when I took the lid off. Maybe it's just me, but I have problems sometimes with snug fitting lids not wanting to play nice when I take them off - resulting in a mini wrestling match. I have lost my grip on a box once or twice, and had one specimen get away from me (thankfully, no damage resulted.) Ed Deckert IMCA #8911 - Original Message - From: jbaxter...@pol.net To: delraygodd...@yahoo.com Cc: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Sunday, January 04, 2009 8:31 PM Subject: [meteorite-list] TS storage Hi Leigh Anne, As someone who is always itching to look at my specimens, I like keeping my thin sections in the little standard(~4 1/4 x 3 inch) Riker boxes. One can fit 3 standard slides parallel to the short side and another two parallel to the long side. They display nicely against the white cotton and you can see five all at once. I'm pretty paranoid about moisture given the high surface to weight ratio and keep the Riker mounts stored with dessicant in an airtight container when I'm not using them. I wonder what the list members' experience has been with both covered and uncovered thin sections? Cheers, Jim Baxter I was wondering if anyone could tell me the typical way that thin sections are collected. I know that they are on microscope slides, but do people typically keep those slides in an old microscope slide box, or drawer of some sort? Is there a protective type case that is typical of thin section collectors? My boyfriend is a custom woodworker, and it trying to figure out a way to build a storage case for these. Thanks in advance, Leigh Anne DelRay __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) Database version: 5.11460 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.0.386) Database version: 5.11460 http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/ __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Marcin's NWA 5218 Eucrite shock melt breccia
Hello all, Just thought I would point out this really unusual and beautiful meteorite avaiable at Marcin's site (www.polandmet.com). I just received my slice and it is spectacular. Regards, Jim Baxter __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] New Monthly Meteorite Column on Geology.com
Hi Geoff, This is a great way to expand interest in meteorites. People interested in geology are a natural audience to be fascinated by meteorites. I was only interested in minerals until someone let me hold a Sikhote-Alin. I was hooked instantly. I suspect (and hope) your great photos and articles will have a similar effect on many of those geology enthusiasts out there. Best Wishes, Jim Baxter Dear Friends and Listees: Greetings from sunny Tucson, AZ. I am delighted to announce a new online monthly meteorite column entitled Meteorwritings. It will be presented exclusively on Dr. Hobart King's Geology.com -- one of the world's top science websites. The first installment, What are Meteorites? went live this evening. The column is aimed at a broad audience, so you meteorite experts will already be familiar with the topics and concepts covered, particularly in the early installments. As the column progresses, we will look at more advanced topics, and we do have a few treats in store. Each month the column will feature new, original photography by my design and photography assistant, Leigh Anne DelRay, and myself. I hope you'll find the images, and the column itself, to be enjoyable. Meteorwritings is currently featured on the front page of the site: www.geology.com And its home page lives here: http://www.geology.com/meteorites/ As the months go by we will compile an archive of past columns for easy viewing. I'd like to thank Dr. King for this marvelous opportunity to reach out to a wider audience, and also my staff: Timothy Arbon who illustrated our beautiful banner, and Leigh Anne DelRay for her author's portrait. Oh yes, and Tim came up with the column title too. Clever lad that he is! : ) Comments and feedback much appreciated as always, and thanks for reading. Watch the skies! Geoff N. Aerolite Meteorites of Tucson www.aerolite.org __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Glass in meteorites
Hi Jeff, Congratulations on the cover story in Science on formation conditions of chondrules. Your color photograph of a Semarkona cross section is fabulous. Cheers, Jim Baxter I think it is fairly clear that the glass in chondrites, which forms in chondrules because of their rapid cooling from a partially molten state, is stable on the time-scale of the age of the solar system. In the most primitive chondrites, the ones unaffected by reheating or alteration on asteroids, the glass is preserved in pristine condition to this day. In metamorphosed chondrites, glass may survive in protected areas of type 3.9-4 material, but the reheating caused most of the glass to crystallize into feldspar early in solar system history. In aqueously altered chondrites, like CMs, the glass was mostly replaced by phyllosilicates and other phases due to the chemical action of water on the asteroid. Water is apparently a key ingredient in devitrifying silicate glasses, especially important in earth rocks. The image on Tom's website is almost certainly one of dendrites (probably olivine) in what was once glass. These dendrites were the result of rapid crystallization during cooling of a chondrule melt. Because this is a metamorphosed chondrite, the glass is now most likely replaced by fine-grained feldspathic material. Jeff At 12:24 AM 6/25/2008, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi, Several years ago I ran onto an unusual chondrule in JaH 055 that looks like glass but it is forming in crystals. I have had various explanations presented to me and all involved Glass This might be On topic? If any one is up to taking a look and sharing their observations, I would greatly appreciate it. Just go to my Meteorite Times Micrograph Gallery http://www.meteorite.com/meteorite-gallery/meteorites-alpha_frame.htm and select alphabetical sorting, JaH 055, and then crystal structure. These shots were produced using incident (reflected light). Thanks, Tom Phillips In a message dated 6/24/2008 10:02:55 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Have any studies been done on decay of glasses in meteorites into crystaline configurations? Is there a mesurable rate, or does it not happen? This story brought that to mind-- if impact-generated glasses in meteorites HAVE NOT decayed into crystaline material in 4 billion years, it's fairly good evidence that it won't happen in billions of years, as the story speculates. Dr. Jeffrey N. Grossman phone: (703) 648-6184 US Geological Survey fax: (703) 648-6383 954 National Center Reston, VA 20192, USA __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Greg Hupé's gorgeous NWA 4883 eucrite ...
I second Berndt's opinion. I have never seen a eucrite like this. My slice also captivated me under the microscope-amazing complexity and variety! Easily an order of magnitude more beautiful under the microscope than any other eucrite I've seen. Jim Baxter .. arrived today and I must tell you that it is out-of-this-world! My 11.9-gram endcut can keep you busy for hours!!! Its dark-brown crust still shows traces of black, glossy fusion crust and the abundant colorless, pale bluish or even pale greenish but *limpid* maskelynite crystals clearly testify to its intense shock history. This complex, polymict eucrite breccia shows all kinds of clasts but the most exotic feature of my endcut is what only two of the pieces showed and what Stefan Brandes so aptly described as a cosmic spider web: These elongated, acicular (augite?) crystals have an average length of 0.7 mm but some are longer than 1 mm and some are arranged in a star-like pattern with up to nine or ten elongate crystals radiating from a central point or nucleus. Troilite is present in some places and this endcut also sports a medium-gray angular, lithic clast measuring a whopping 5.5 mm in longest dimension. Under the microscope it is marbly in appearance. Furthermore there are a few tiny specks of (Ni-free) metal and another oddity is this: One translucent maskelynite crystal measuring 0.9 mm contains numerous, milky-white very small (length ca. 0.05 mm) worm-like features (almost like rice grains) that are reminiscent of air bubbles caught in frozen water while trying to ascend to the surface! What a meteorite! Take care, Bernd __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Greg Hupé's gorgeous NWA 4883 eucrite ...
Hello Greg, Berndt, Michael, I'm afraid my photographic skills and equipment are too lacking to do the material justice but here are low resolution scans of my slice: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA4883AEUCspideryclasts16-3gmGr-1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA4883AEUCspideryclasts16-3gmGregH.jpg best wishes, Jim Hi Bernd, Jim, Michael and all who love exotic meteorites, Thank you Bernd for your great observations of NWA 4883, a fantastically gorgeous maskelynite-rich eucrite. The pools of maskelynite are awesome to look at through a microscope along with the rest of this beauty. Michael asked where one could see photos, click at this link and you will see the only remaining 20 pieces left with links to slices and micro close-ups: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40_trksid=m37satitle=%22nwa+4883%22category0 Thank you all who have purchased this truly fun meteorite from me. Happy Holidays! Greg ===Greg Hupe The Hupe Collection NaturesVault (eBay) [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.LunarRock.com IMCA 3163 ===Click here for my current eBay auctions: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnaturesvault - Original Message - From: Michael Murray [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 11:18 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list]Greg Hupé's gorgeous NWA 4883 eucrite ... Any chance you might share a pic or two? Sounds interesting. Michael Murray micro hunter of SW Colorado __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Thin Section Box by PolandMET
Waaay cool, Marcin! Jim Baxter Hi I like build different things, especialy when I think out new project. This time I want present easy to use, field use recomended box for see thin section in cross polarized light. You need only loupe, light and thin section :) step 1 First of all, we need to buy one thin section box from Jensen Meteorites http://www.jensenmeteorites.com/supplies.htm http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts1.jpg They are perfect for storage thin section except one thing. Designer forgot about any corner or something else for our fingers that let us to open this box. New boxes are impossible to open without help of knife or other tool. Step2 So first thing we need to do is take top of this box and polish, using pile tool, two shorter edges of box on angle 45*. When we do this and close box we will have space for our finger nail that let us open box. It also necessary to do this on all boxes we use to store our thin sections. I have made this on my 100 boxes and its much easer to open them, and it cost less stress when inside is expensive thin section and box dont want let us to open it. http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts2.jpg Step3 Now is time to cut square hole in both halfs of TS box. Hole must have size similar to the size of meteorite in standard thin section. Dont make too big hole becouse box can be broken while preparing it or later. http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts3.jpg. Step4 Now we must polish edges of our new hole. Make sure hole size is similar in both half's of TS Box. http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts4.jpg Step5 Now I make small holes on surface of box on all sides to make it more stable when we hold it. Box is very flat and extreme smooth and it like to fly out of your hands, especially when inside is thin section worth few hundreds of $$$. Remember Murphy Law's ! http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts5a.jpg http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts5b.jpg Step6 Now we buy polarize filter from www.3dlens.com (I purchased A4 size). We cut two square samples that will fit inside of each half of TS Box. REMEMBER to cut them in 90* angle to each other. When You put them together You must see nothing through them. If they will become black, then they are in cross position. Prepare glue for glass/plexiglass/plastic and small sponge 2-3mm thin. Put some glue inside of each half of TS Box and put there filters. REMEMBER to remove folio layer from both sides of polarize filter before You will glue them with TS Box. When You put filters inside box, close it WITH sponge inside. It will make good connection beeween box and polarize filter while glue become dry. http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts6.jpg Step7 If You not glued two halfs of TS Box together , then You will be able to open it after several minutes. My box looks like this. Pretty funny but extremelly usefull. http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts7.jpg Step8 finito Now crash test :) Pretty easy to use everywhere. In Tucson show or in desert of Oman. Its undetectable by metal detectors, so You can take it to the plane without risk. Police dogs from drugs section will also not find my TSBox :) It take a hour to do my TSBox. http://www.meteoryt.net/ebay/ts8.jpg Have Fun ! -[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]- http://www.Meteoryty.pl marcin(at)meteoryty.pl http://www.PolandMET.com marcin(at)meteorite.pl http://www.Gao-Guenie.com GSM +48(607)535 195 [ Member of Polish Meteoritical Society ] __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Some help with [Brenham] inclusions
Hello Martin and Berndt, Here's an old article(thanks to Google)which implies that the original article naming these lamellae, by Brezina in 1882, referred to thin troilite plates oriented parallel to the cube planes of iron. They were first described by Reichenbach in 1861. This article also implies that the term has been subsequently used very loosely so that the original definition has been blurred somewhat: ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19670010172_1967010172.pdf Best Wishes, Jim Baxter Hi all, I haven't a picture at hand, but as far as I know, the Reichenbach lamellae appear inside of the troilite inclusions. I had once a Mundrabilla with a typical troilite eye, which displayed those lamellae. The troilite looked barred or intersected by parallel lines. The bars were a little less than 1mm wide. Or to express it else: A striped troilite drop. Best! Martin -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- Von: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Im Auftrag von [EMAIL PROTECTED] Gesendet: Mittwoch, 22. August 2007 16:30 An: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Some help with [Brenham] inclusions Hello Mike M., Herman and List, Herman kindly wrote: I believe the long schreibersite inclusions are called 'richenbach lamellae', please correct me if I am wrong. I don't think we are looking at so-called Reichenbach Lamellae (= chromite laths surrounded by troilite / chromite = FeCr2O4). Wouldn't Reichenbach Lamellae be much thinner and (almost) straight, ... needle-like? But maybe it's Reichenbach Lamellae and schreibersite simultaneously. This has been observed in the Sychevka IIIAB iron, where troilite is intergrown with schreibersite and chromite within the Reichenbach lamellae of that iron. Best regards, Bernd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Papers on Desert and Other Meteorites Available Online Until June 18th
Dear Paul, Fabulous resource! All list members should check it out. Many thanks, Jim Baxter Dear Friends, The PDF version of an article about desert meteorites is available online until June 18, 2007. It is: Desert meteorites: a history by A. W. R. Bevan Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 2006; v. 256; p. 325-343; http://sp.lyellcollection.org/cgi/content/abstract/256/1/325 This part of The History of Meteoritics and Key Meteorite Collections: Fireballs, Falls and Finds edited by G. J. H. McCall and A. J. Bowden. Other PDF files in this book can be found at: http://sp.lyellcollection.org/content/vol256/issue1/ The PDF versions of the above and other papers in this volume will be free to download until June 18, 2007. This applies to the other papers in the Lyell collection at: http://www.lyellcollection.org/ Best Regards, Paul H. Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=listsid=396545433 __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] [Fwd: Re: Fusion crusts on stony meteorites]
Dave asked me to post this message to the list. Regards, Jim Baxter Original Message Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Fusion crusts on stony meteorites From: David Johnson [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thu, March 22, 2007 10:58 pm To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello Jim, I find your post and pictures from Marcin Cimala interesting, as I've submitted an article to Meteorite Magazine that notes two accounts of particles, on the order of 1mm in size, impacting my house and another house closer to the Park Forest strewnfield during the fall of the Park Forest meteorite. The pictures you posted provides visual proof that such a phenomenon does occur quite nicely, and helps show how the diminutive particles that were heard/seen were able to be produced during the ablation. My article only touches upon the phenomenon as being reported, without going into any analysis of how it occurs. Perhaps this will open up further studies into the effects of ablation. Would you please post this to the meteorite list as well? I used to be a member, but apparently have been removed due to mail bouncing, although the account I used for sign-up has been open all the while. Thanks, Dave Johnson Hello Jim, I find your post and pictures from Marcin Cimala interesting, as Ive submitted an article to Meteorite Magazine that notes two accounts of particles, on the order of 1mm in size, impacting my house and another house closer to the Park Forest strewnfield during the fall of the Park Forest meteorite. The pictures you posted provides visual proof that such a phenomenon does occur quite nicely, and helps show how the diminutive particles that were heard/seen were able to be produced during the ablation. My article only touches upon the phenomenon as being reported, without going into any analysis of how it occurs. Perhaps this will open up further studies into the effects of ablation. Would you please post this to the meteorite list as well? I used to be a member, but apparently have been removed due to mail bouncing, although the account I used for sign-up has been open all the while. Thanks,Dave Johnson __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Fusion crusts on stony meteorites
Hello Berndt et al., I thought you and the list members might find interesting a phenomenon that was shown to me by Marcin Cimala. In cutting an LL5 he found areas where thick crust had built up and actually incorporated within the crust small angular fragments of relatively unaltered meteorite. Here are scans of a slice I obtained from Marcin: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA2826LL528gmMarcinCimala.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA2826LL528gmMarcinCimalacloseup.jpg I assume that these fragments were dislodged late in flight while the crust was still liquid but too late to be melted or thermally altered. Best Wishes, Jim Baxter GENGE M.J. and GRADY M. (1999) The fusion crusts of stony meteorites: implications for the atmospheric reprocessing of extra- terrestrial materials (MAPS 34-3, 1999, 341-356): a) Fusion crusts develop on *all* meteorites during their passage of the atmosphere ... b) Most chondrite fusion crusts are porphyritic and dominated by olivine, glass and accessory magnetite whereas those of the achondrites are mainly glassy. c) Chondrite fusion crusts contain sulphide droplets with high-Ni contents (55 wt%). d) The partially melted substrate of OCs, underlying the outer melted crusts, are dominated by silicate glass and composite metal, sulphide and Cr-bearing Fe-oxide droplets that form as coexisting immiscible liquids. e) Enstatite chondrite substrates contain Cr- and Mn- bearing sulphides. f) The substrates of the CCs comprise a sulphide-enriched layer of matrix. The compositions of melted crusts are similar to those of the bulk meteorite. Differences from whole rock, however, suggest that three main processes control their chemical evolution: 1) the loss and reaction of immiscible Fe-rich liquids, 2) mixing between substrate partial melts and bulk melts of the melted crust, 3) the loss of volatile components by evaporation and degassing. Conclusions, p. 356: The fusion crusts of stony meteorites exhibit considerable variation with meteorite type and compositions and textures that are largely dependent on the bulk chemical and mineralogical properties of the meteorite. Four processes are important in the chemical evolution of fusion crusts: 1) the separation and reaction of Fe-rich sulphide, metal, and oxide liquids, 2) reaction with atmospheric O, 3) mixing of incompatible element-rich partial melts from the substrate with bulk melted crust liquid, 4) the loss of volatile elements by e v a p o r a t i o n and d e g a s s i n g. Best wishes, Bernd __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Fusion crusts on stony meteorites
Hi Mike and Darren, I probably would have had that response too without the benefit of turning these over in my hands and looking at them in 3 dimensions. I'm 99% sure that if you held these in your hands, and especially if you looked at them under the microscope, you would conclude the black areas are crust. This scan of reverse side of the 28 gram slide may be more convincing: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA2826LL528gmMarcinCimalareversecl.jpg I also made an oblique photo of the other slice which shows the contiguity of the area with the fragments(lower right hand corner of the top photo, lower hand corner left of the lower photo) with the rest of the crust. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA282648gmobliqueview-1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA282648gmobliqueviewreverse-1.jpg However, I'm sure I have about a thousandth the expertise of either of you so I could well be off base. Best wishes, Jim I agree, I dont think that it is fusion crust, more likely a brecciated section on the edge of the meteorite. Michael Farmer --- Darren Garrison [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:58:51 -0400 (EDT), you wrote: Hello Berndt et al., I thought you and the list members might find interesting a phenomenon that was shown to me by Marcin Cimala. In cutting an LL5 he found areas where thick crust had built up and actually incorporated within the crust small angular fragments of relatively unaltered meteorite. Here are scans of a slice I obtained from Marcin: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA2826LL528gmMarcinCimala.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v614/CaneySprings/NWA2826LL528gmMarcinCimalacloseup.jpg I assume that these fragments were dislodged late in flight while the crust was still liquid but too late to be melted or thermally altered. I would think that is just a darker clast in the rock that happened to be only on the outer edge of that slice. __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Gao, but Oriented
Hello Marcin, I doubt I'll want to pay the price that these Gao's will bring on the internet (people seem to go crazy over orientaion) but I would love to see the photos if that is possible. Hope your dial-up modem is now history. Cheers, Jim Hi everyone. I decided to offer my personal, unique, collection of 10 perfect oriented Gaos. 11g 17.2g 19.9g 12.1g 6.5g 14.0g 10.4g 15.8g 10.3g 55.3g Every specimen have different kind of orientation, some are flat, some like buttons, some have interesting bubbles on the back side, and some other have polished one side, where specimen was oryginaly broken. All are black, perfectly cleaned, except last one, cool oriented piece. only serious buyers. Photos on request. -[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]- http://www.Meteoryt.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.PolandMET.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.Gao-Guenie.com GSM +48(607)535 195 [ Member of Polish Meteoritical Society ] __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Blaine Reed Tucson Notes AD
Hello Al et al., I would like to second Al's suggestion that any Tucson attendee is really missing out if they don't spend some time at Blaine's room. He always has interesting material and is just a great source of meteorite information and lore. To me he is an essential part of the Tucson experience. Regards, Jim Baxter Greetings Tucson attendees, Here is my two grams worth on the auctions, dealer rooms, participation and parties. First I know that the dealer rooms were the first participants at the show many years back. Robert Haag probably was the first real dealer to set up and offer meteorites at the show. Other dealers soon followed as they offered a much needed service. Back then few people knew what a meteorite was and didn't think you would ever be able to own one or offer them for re-sale. Dealers are paying about two thousand or more to be a part of the show (which is suppose to be a wholesale show) and to rent the rooms from the show organizers. Travel there and setting up and time are other factors and costs. Obviously this is a sizable investment for them and they need a fair return. Several years back someone decided to have an auction, not sure who but I would think it was the upscale auction from a New York dealer or possibly Michael Blood. As Blaine said those tended to compliment the dealers and no real problems. As the auctions caught on, a number of people would reserve specimens in some rooms and then go to the auctions in order to bid on items. Apparently after bidding on a number of things at auction, the same people who reserved specimens in dealer rooms would go back toward the end of the show and change their minds on the items they had taken off the shelves. Worse yet some didn't bother to return and let the dealer know they no longer wanted their reserved items. This results in the dealers selling less and costing them. As the auctions gained favor and higher attendance a lower volume of sales were realized by room dealers. Of course it is more complicated than just this. There are now more dealers than ever, it is more difficult for foreign collectors to travel due to past events, other dealers have offered their own auctions to counter the other auctions and get people back in their rooms to look around. The show is not nearly as large as it once was due to the internet and rock and gem attendees having a lower count these days. I am sure ebay plays a factor to some degree. There are also a number of party events that compete for attendees time. One trend that bothers me is the number of deals I see being made by dealers who don't have rooms but make the rounds to other dealer rooms. In some cases deals are being made in the paying dealer's room and has nothing to do with his inventory. To me this is very rude and if participants can't go outside or meet in a motel room to conduct their business they should at least offer the room dealer a percentage of the profit they are making in the offended dealers room. Courtesy seems to have vanished these days. There are few dealers that have the knowledge and understanding of meteorites these days like Blaine Reed does. I think he is a vital part of the show and it will be a sad day if he can no longer afford to attend these shows. I recommend that if you attend the show, at least take a little time out to visit some of the old timers like Blaine. I think you will be pleased by his display, his helpful manor, his knowledge of the subject and best his reasonable prices. There may be a day when all this dries up and the pilgrimage to Tucson will no longer be and a subject that we only talk about. As dealers close their doors there will be less an less reason to attend the show. With all this said I hope no one takes offense as it is not directed at any particular party. Rather it is an effort to get some of the other attendee's thoughts on the subject and stimulate discussion. While I am guilty of attending some of the auctions and understand the allure of going to them I still make the rounds to the rooms (as many as I can in the time I have) and spend a fair amount with them as well. Part of Tucson is the socializing, seeing what all is available from years past, and getting an idea of what items may become available in the near future. I hope to see others comment and share their thoughts on all of this. BTW, I do like the idea of scheduling a hotel so we can deal the organizers out but don't know the legalities of doing this. I might be willing to set up my collection if we ever went this way. Perhaps a show could be scheduled in some other town, although I would miss the restaurants in Tucson. Best! --AL Mitterling __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __
Re: [meteorite-list] Tucson Information Page
Hello all, Someone, I believe it was Martin Altman, mentioned as a footnote to a message on another topic that if Berndt, the universal favorite, prefers to defer his award until he can receive it in person, Paul and Jim would be very deserving alternate recipients. I would just like agree with that sentiment and thank them for their services to all of us. Their site and their Tucson updates are wonderful resources. Regards, Jim Baxter p.s. and of course can't wait to meet Berndt in person when he does come over and receive his well-earned recognition Hello Everyone! All information has been posted to The Tucson Information Page. http://www.meteorite-times.com/tucson/ Please enter any edits or new information here http://www.meteorite-times.com/tucson/Tucson_form.htm The count down has begun! Paul __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] {AD} New Features at Meteorite-dealers.com
Gary, Please stop bombarding the list with these messages! Start keeping count! Jim Baxter Hello MetListers, First. if this as exceeds the once-a-week rule I apologize. I have not been keeping count. Second. Happy New Year! I wanted to let everyone know that http://www.meteorite- dealers.com has added a number of new free features of value to all meteorite dealers. 1) All category listings on our site are now free. Your listing can include free live links to the following; 1) Your Website URL 2) Your email address 3) Your live eBay auctions Even more, your listings can also include your graphic logo - for free [ max 182 pixels wide ]. So, if you are a new participant, or an existing participant at meteorite-dealers.com all you have to do to take advantage of all of these new free features is simply use our EZ submission form at; http://www.meteorite-dealers.com/submit.html Happy 2007 Everyone! Gary Foote [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.meteorite-dealers.com List Your Meteorite Business for Free __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] 2007 Peoples Choice Harvey Award Nominee
I agree!! perfect choice. Berndt's messages are so helpful and informative..and he's clearly a calm and thoughtful voice among a sometimes fractious crew of collectors and dealers. Jim Baxter p.s. Incidentally Mark, you're no slouch in providing great information; definitely another great source of useful material on the list. Your frequent contributions are appreciated. jb Jim Baxter Hello Everybody, As the time is getting close, perhaps now we should think about the tradition started last year (is that an oxymoran or what?) at the Birthday Bash, with the 2007 Peoples Choice Harvey Award. White it is preferred that winners attend the 2007 Tucson show, where the treasured awards are given away by Geoff Notkin and Steve Brenham Arnold, an exception was made last year. Due to Bernd years of contributions, I would humbly like to nominate list contributor Bernd Pauli for the 2007 People's Choice Harvey Award Nominee. From helping me and others off-list, to providing short references, for your own general meteorite observations, or sharing those such as Buchwald comments, answering questions and the general sharing of information. And interesting to note, in my 5-6 years as a list member, I can not remember one AD by you...surely there is one in those archivessomewhere...:^) A true collector, an honest man and a valued friend of many...I imagine I can speak for most of the list Bernd when I say Thank You! to you and your wife. (Perhaps more so the later or we would never have Bernd in our e-mail boxes). You are model for the list and we do appreciate your efforts. Clear Skies, Mark Bostick Kansas Meteorite Society, Founder/Board Member International Meteorite Collectors Association, Co-Founder (Round 2)/Board Member/Treasure Wichita Gem and Mineral Society Member __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] [AD] Steve's Brenham Slices -- At Last!
Hello Geoff et al., I bought a slice of Brenham from Steve at Tucson last year. At the time I was a little concerned, as I am sure some list members may be, about Brenham's reputation for instability. The etch on this meteorite is so beautiful and intricate I couldn't resist buying the slice and I'm very happy to report that it has been rock stable-not a hint of rust in the year that I have owned it. I've been very happy with it. Cheers, Jim Baxter Dear Listees: Greetings from Tucson, the meteorite capital of the world. I am very pleased and excited to announce that by exclusive arrangement with the Brenham Meteorite Company I am now offering superb, genuine Steve Arnold Brenham meteorite slices. Every one of my Brenham specimens comes with the following special documentation: - A color 8 1/2 x 11 Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Steve Arnold and Philip C. Mani -- owners of the Brenham Meteorite Company. This attractive certificate was specially designed by Stanegate Studios. The certificate is suitable for framing, signed and numbered, and includes the specific date that your specimen was found, and its longitude and latitude. A Brenham Meteorite Company provenance is sure to add to the value of your specimen in the years to come. - A custom color print of the complete meteorite -- from which your slice or end cut was taken -- prior to cutting. - A limited edition photo portrait postcard of Steve Arnold and his 1,430-lb Brenham find -- signed by Steve! - An official Aerolite Meteorites specimen identification card - Some specimens will also be accompanied by an additional signed photograph, showing the actual excavation of the piece from which your meteorite was taken! (when available) Today, I am pleased to offer a selection of gorgeous Brenham siderite slices. These were expertly prepared by meteorite hunter Mike Miller. Anyone who owns one of Mike's Gibeon or Canyon Diablo slices knows what outstanding work he does. Well, just wait 'til you see the Brenham siderite slices. The only word for the etch on these irons is stunning. Don't miss the large photos: http://www.aerolite.org/brenham-irons.htm The mass was found by Steve and Dr. Denton Abel, Curator of Meteorites at the American Museum of Natural History on July 8. In a few days I will be have complete Brenham pallasite slices, prepared to the very highest standards by Allan Lang of R.A. Langheinrich Meteorites. Al is one of -- if not THE -- best meteorite prep artists in the world, and I think I can confidently say these will be the finest American pallasite slices available anywhere on the market today. Remember you can see Steve and me digging up an actual Brenham pallasite this coming Tuesday night in the world premiere of the Cash and Treasures meteorite hunters episode on the Travel Channel. Details and showtimes: http://www.aerolite.org/cash-and-treasures.htm Thanks for looking. Please email me anytime if you have questions about our Brenham meteorites. I have a very limited amount of this premium quality material available. Sincerely, Geoff N. www.aerolite.org __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Hello Norbert, I for one would like to hear your final conclusion. I have considered buying such a scale for some time. I have been too busy, or too lazy if I am to be honest, to do my homework and would love to benefit from your efforts. I am sure I'm one of many on the list that has considered buying a scale so I'm sure others would be interested as well. Best Wishes, Jim Baxter Thanks Michael, your comments surely help. The scales I had in mind are all in the 100$ range, like you said, and they are small portable instruments. Anyway, I guess I'll have to look around on the net to find out which one is the most accurate of these. And before I forget it: I'd also like to thank all the other people who responded. All the best, Norbert -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- Von: Michael L Blood [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Gesendet: Samstag, 9. Dezember 2006 16:36 An: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Meteorite List Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice Hi Norbert, You write, I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale. In some ways, the qualities you seek are mutually exclusive. You want: 1) Portable 2) Precise (a variable term) 3) Affordable - also a variable term. Let me share my own experience regarding the exact same desires and also what I have seen: I own a 4 KG scale accurate to within .1g - However, I had to pay to have it calibrated exactly where it sits in my office and not move it for it to remain stable and predictable in its accuracy. (according to the calibrator, who spoke of various factors such as how close other metal objects are as well as NEVER moving the scale). This scale costs over $1,000 new, though I got it used and paid for factory refurbishing and then calibration on site for much less, as a friend sold it to me for like $75 without one of the parts, which I easily replaced from the manufacturer. At the other extreme, I have a scale that goes to 120g. This is also a non-portable scale and weighs to 1/1,000th of a gram and cost me about $5,40. Third, I have a portable (battery driven) scale that weighs up to like 200 Kg. It is amazingly light for what it does and only cost about $100, though I do not know how precise it is. It is, of course, for big irons or gigantic stones, and I take it to the show - I keep it in the motor home, as I have infrequent use for it in the office. It is portable. The 4th scale I use is closer to what you want: It is a Tanita portable (Model #1481) and cost me $42.50. It is VERY slim, metal, light and fits easily into a shirt pocket. They list for $89 or $99 on the Tanita site, but several dealers offer them on eBay new and in the box. One offers hem for the incredible price of $42.50. It will weigh up to 120g at 1/10th of a gram. I have not compared this new one with my 4Kg scale, but the old Tanita I had for years weighed exactly to the same 1/10th gram as the stationary scale that was calibrated. None of these are likely to be what you want, but generally demonstrate the range in prices and the problem presented with a mobile unite combining fine measurement with low price. At the show, I have seen many units that claim to measure to the 1/100th of a gram with accuracy with similar mobility. I think they are about $120. You can even get a small, but not truly pocket portable unit that will go to 1/1,000 th of a gram and are said to be inexpensive - but I am not clear what that means. You would likely be best satisfied with a truly portable unit that measures to 1/100th in the $100 cost range, but only you would know for sure. Best wishes, Michael on 12/8/06 4:18 PM, Norbert Classen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi All, I'm tired of visiting the petrologic lab of our local university each time I want to accurately weigh a new sample. Besides that, I would love to have a small but precise portable scale that I could carry to the shows... Since I'm mostly into micros, and more rare meteorites, such as lunar or martians, I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale, best with 1mg or 2mg resolution, and now I'm wondering how accurate the more common gem and diamond scales actually are. Does anyone of you, collectors and dealers, have some experience with the accuracy, and properties of one of the following scales? - Gempro 50 (My Weight) - JS-VG 20 (Jennings) - JPG 10 (JScale Precision/Jennings) These are the ones that seem to be more common. Would you recommend the one or the other? Any other scales that you could recommend? Thanks for your input, and for your advice! All the best, Norbert http://www.meteoris.de/ Planetary Meteorites __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- It is difficult to get a man to
Re: [meteorite-list] Thin Section box
Hello Marcin, I store my slides in the small(~8.5 x 11 cm)Riker boxes. One can place 3 slides lenghtwise and two sideways and they fit almost exactly. This is not the most efficient way to store slides in terms of space but I like it because it lets me see and appreciate the slices and their structure as they are visible through the glass against the white cotton backing. Cheers, Jim Baxter Hi Ho All Im looking for my first box to store thin sections. Something easy to store them and easy to see names on glass when they are in box. -[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]- http://www.Meteoryt.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.PolandMET.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.Gao-Guenie.com GSM +48(607)535 195 [ Member of Polish Meteoritical Society ] __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] AD: Ebay Auctions
Hello Walter, I thought about bidding on your Campo del Cielo but decided against it as I already have two larger specimens. I noticed that it did not sell and, as I think about it, it is a pretty piece and, if it is been quite stable at room humidity, I might like to pick it up to display at work. All my other specimens at home are inside cabinets with silica gel and see no humidity but it would be nice to have one sample out in the open where it could easily be seen. Would you consider an offer of $45 per kilogram for the specimen? Best wishes, Jim Baxter p.s. I'll be away from the computer for a couple hours but will check for your reply on my return. Thanks. JB Hello Everyone, Just got back from a few days in Atlanta. I like Atlanta, but the traffic makes me nervous, especially around spaghetti junction and I-285 (Atlantans know what I am referring to). I have a few ebay auctions ending today (more will follow) including 4 Martians, a large and VERY stable Campo del Cielo and 10 micromounts in a interesting case with see-through top that snaps closed. To view the auctions, just do an ebay search on item number 130052595305 (the micromounts) then view seller's other auctions. -Walter Branch __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Ghubara
Hello Berndt and list, I too would like to come to the defense of Ghubara. I have two beautiful and fascinating Ghubara slices which show two lithologies and which are quite stable over several years( though I do store and display my specimens at a low relative humidity). It seems that there is considerable heterogenity in most meteorite finds in terms of stability. I would speculate that a large part of this variability is due to local variation in exposure to moisture and salts and to some extent to fracturing of the indiviual specimen which seems to creat an avenue for the penetration of moisture.Does that make sense? It seems to me that the gold standard for buying a stable specimen, especially from a locality that has a reputation for instability, is a report from a reliable dealer that they have owned the specimen and observed it to be stable over time. Cheers, Jim Baxter harlan trammell wrote: they sweat and ooze liquid Hello All, My thick slice that I got from Mike Martinez in 2000 is still stable, no ooze, no sweat! My large, thin 36-gram slice from Ivan Koutyrev that I purchased about two or three years ago (EBay) is still perfect - no ooze, no sweat! This super-thin slice is one of my most beautiful and most interesting meteorites and one of its main features is an oval, multi-banded chondrule - something I've never seen again in any other chondrite! It has troilite, abundant chondrules, different chondrule types and sizes, even melt veinlets meandering along the outer edges of my slice, and, of course, the well-known dark matrix that is studded with several lighter-colored patches, well, a beautiful regolith breccia :-) Cheers, Bernd __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] PolandMET reactivation...
I also would like to congratulate Marcin for finally getting access to Paypal in Poland. For those on the list who have not had the pleasure of dealing with Marcin he does a really nice job of preparation on his material. He's also efficient, ships orders right away, and has a really clever way of packaging material for safe shipment. Keep up the good work, Marcin, Jim Baxter __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Re: Baszkowka
Thanks, Marcin for the link to photos of this truly beautiful stone! Jim Baxter No it isn't Seymchan. Ha ! Becouse its Morasko :))) hi hi Morasko is alvays the best and who cares about two olivines. OK I cant tell what it is otherwise I will be disqualified by Martin. Hey Mike, it was a not so intelligent idea to buy the Baszkowka stone and to drop it in Oman to rerecover it again. The other way round, Mike, the other way round! Martin = NO NO No This is speculation. I personally checked that tooday Baszkowka , one of the TOP10 best oriented meteorites on this tiny world is sitting in his armour chest, and its SAFE. This was incredible, this was mystic, this was great, this was horrible and beautifull to watch this stone in real. Heh and its much heavy than I expected. Crust is soo fresh, sharp, mat and shiny into regmalyptes compressed one near another. And finally the back side, never seen with place from where all material was cut off. This was great And all who like to see some photos please open my page http://www.meteoryt.net/sprawozd/baszkowka_2k6/index.htm And for those who will try to start any exchanges, no more material will be cut from it and everything what was taken from Baszkowka in the past was killed in many Lab tests and other parts landed also deep museums/collectors membrane boxes. So no new material will be available. Bad :( I have only 2grams -[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]- http://www.Meteoryt.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.PolandMET.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.Gao-Guenie.com GSM +48(607)535 195 [ Member of Polish Meteoritical Society ] __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] NWA 011 Pairing photo
Hello, I was fortunate enough to buy a small piece of NWA 2976 from Jim and Mike at Tucson and I can verify that Jim's description of this as VERY pretty and Mike's of weird looking are both accurate. This is gorgeous under a low power microscope. Regards, Jim Baxter Here is a photo of a couple of pieces of NWA 2976. It is a quickie, but you see how unique the meteorite is. I will try to get some up for sale on my site within the next few days, but I have many pieces and can hook buyers up now. http://meteoriteguy.com/011pairing.JPG Isn't this the weirdest looking meteorite out there? Michael Farmer __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Dronino Preservation
Hello Berndt, Stefan, et al., I was nervous about Dronino but it is a beautiful meteorite so I bought one of Marcin's slices which has been quite stable for over 6 months now. I do keep all my specimens at less than 10% relative humidity which really helps. Even at very low humidity my Brahin slice became dust and yet rumor has it that some Brahin specimens are stable. I suspect that the terrestrial exposure history of a particular specimen plays a significant role in the variability of rusting; perhaps fracturing allowing moisture into the interior is another important variable. Preparation technique is presumably important as well. Too bad there is not a way to test for this tendency; in its absence I guess the best test is that a reliable observer has observed a particular individual or slices from a particular individual over time without visible degradation. Regards, Jim Baxter Stefan wrote: Just watching the slow disintegration of my little 63g Dronino individual. Not the prettiest way of losing weight...Any chance of preserving it from total crumbleation? Matteo responded: Dronino its a horrible rust meteorite, for the moment the 2th only after Campo del Cielo. Don't forget Nantan...another rust bucket. I had a nice Nantan individual that I purchased at a mineral show in Ulm (Germany) in 1999. About two years later it had rusted and crumbled almost beyond recognition. Morasko can also be very, very prone to rusting. My little piece from ... looks jet-black as if HCL had been poured over a lump of sugar :-( Luckily I was careful enough because I bought only a small 12-gram endcut which I observed rusting away in spite of the silica gel I used to protect it. Dronino is a very difficult candidate because of its large amount of sulfides (about 10vol%!). Moreover, its sulfide nodules are usually surrounded by Fe hydroxides, ... a fateful combination with regard to hard-to-stop rusting :-( Cheers, Bernd __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Shield-shaped meteorites
Hello Berndt and list, Those list members who are interested in this topic and have not seen the 47.4 kg Cabin Creek, Arkansas iron meteorite in the Vienna Museum of Natural History should check it out at the museum's web site. It does not compare in size to the amazing Sikhote-Alin mass but its beauty and symmetry are remarkable. For those who own Dr. Norton's Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites there are beautiful frontal and oblique photographs of this meteorite on page 53. This is one I would definitely love to see in person one day. Best wishes, Jim Baxter Peter Sch. wrote: I am studying shield shaped iron meteorites. I was wondering what meteorite my fellow list members think is the best shield? One of the best if not the very best of the shield-shaped meteorites is the 1745 kg Sikhote-Alin mass. According to Buchwald, it measures about 1.2 x 1.0 x 0.5 m and is beautifully regmaglypted. Some regmaglypts or thumbprints are 4-8 cm in diameter and radiate away from the apex of the shield-shaped cone. Along the edges, these thumbprints form conspicuous elongated grooves parallel to the direction of flight of the shield through the atmosphere. There is also a fissure, 20-40 cm deep, that extends from the apex and almost divides the mass into two halves. Best regards, Good night, Bernd __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Book Review: Marvin Killgore's Book on Thin Sections - Part 2 of 2
Hello all, I'm not sure my humble endorsement would add much weight to the opinion of such a respected figure as Berndt but I'd emphasize to the list that I own both of the books that Berndt mentioned and they are fabulous books. I think all collectors should have both. Also,if you ever get a chance to talk meteorites with Marvin, jump at it. Unless you are a PhD studying meteoritics his knowledge will eclipse yours, big time, but he really loves talking meteorites and is very generous with his time and knowledge on a face to face basis. His enthusiasm is infectious. Marvin and Kitty are a 'must see' stop if they are at a show anywhere near any of the list members. Regards, Jim Baxter Alyssa La Blue kindly wrote: I'm happy to see this appear on the meteorite list! I am Marvin Killgore's assistant and want to make sure that you all know where to locate this book. Hello Alyssa and List, Do I have a copy of this book? Of course, I do - autographed and with a special dedication by Marvin and Kitty! Oh, while we are at it, the reviewer also wrote: it rightly does not include iron or stony-iron meteorites. .. which shouldn't be too much of a problem. If you want to see some excellent photos of irons, I'd like to direct you to one more of Marvin's and Kitty's books: = Southwest Meteorite Collection, A Pictorial Catalog = Here you'll find several superb photos of the Killgore's meteorite collection. The pictures were taken by their son Elijah, and there are also additional pictures of thin sections and, last but not least, photos of their tektites and impactites. Best wishes, Bernd Now, here is part two of the review of Marvin's book on thin sections: I suspect that when you first read through this book you will have the same reaction as we did: you will not be able to put it down. If it is not already apparent, the book is outstanding, with respect to both the publishing and the quality of its contents. The book starts with a succinct general introduction to the subject of meteorite classifi- cation. This section is followed by a two-page introduction to ordinary chondrites with some 134 pages of micrographs of different ordinary chondrites. The authors stick to a brief, two-page introduction to each meteorite class and type, which works perfectly for the purpose of this atlas. After ordinary chondrites, the authors discuss separately ensta- tite chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites, and finally, other chondrites. At page 206, the authors leave their completed representation of chondrites and give separate attention to primitive achondrites and finally evolved achondrites (including SNCs and lunar). Since this is an atlas of meteorites in thin section, it rightly does not include iron or stony- iron meteorites. Throughout the book, plain and crossed-polarized light images are shown for what are or certainly could be considered type specimens of meteorites from each class and type. In specific cases, reflect light and backscatter electron images are also shown. The book is a perfect supplement to a course on meteorites or planetary materials, or as a reference book when examining samples in thin section, either optically or through backscatter electrons. In closing, the marriage of the two authors, who come to the profession of meteoritics from two highly different backgrounds, works excellently. They have created at i m e l e s s c l a s s i c that will be highly desired by all those interested in meteorites. The book captures the attention of the reader in a fashion that promotes a child-like curiosity for the field of meteoritics while maintaining excellence in its scientific content. In a nut- shell, this is an outstanding book that anyone seriously interested in meteorites must have for his or her reference library. (Review by H.C. Connolly, Jr. City University, New York, USA AMNH) __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Q: Good Source for Plastic Display Stands?
Hi John et al., You might try these guys as well; they have provided nice inexpensive material for me: http://www.jule-art.com/ Regards, Jim Baxter Hi Norm, Susan Tom and thanks for your help and rapid resonses! We will check those sources out. Cheers -John --- Norm Lehrman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: John list, Try http://www.amlap.com/alw/page4.html for starters. Regards, Norm http://TektiteSource.com --- Arizona Skies Meteorites [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all...does anyone know of a good website for plastic display stands? Thanks in advance! -John Arizona Skies Meteorites __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list Arizona Skies Meteorites __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Is Brahin a ruster ? Campo?
Hi Martin, As the subject of rusting Campos, new and old, came up I thought I would point out that Marvin Killgore at Southwest Meteorite Lab sold me a gorgeous new Campo slice with nice silicate inclusions two years ago and it has not a hint of rust. I know he has at least one slice remaining as he had it on display in Tucson. The new Campo material Marvin has seems to be really nice stable material and the silicate inclusions add interest. Regards, Jim Baxter Yes indeed one never can be sure. First one can't make any individually forecast for a single piece, the tendency to rust is different from specimen to specimen from one and the same find, obviously it depends how much chlorine it absorbed. Only the general tendency may predicted. A friend of mine had an etched Campo, completely untreated and not stabilized, which was stable like wood for 15 years (thus not a representative of the so called New Campos), while the gross of the Campos I heard of from my collectors rusted away like hell, no matter whether New or old. Otherway round, I met once on a show a seller, who had a large box full of Gibeons, all despite being oiled with messy rust traces. I for my own keep cutting material for a certain time in quarantine to see, if a coating will be necessary after preparation and recommend in general to the new collectors, first to be aware, that every iron can rust and second, to keep the finger away on the beginning from such problematic irons like Campo, Nantan or Dronino, although they are by far the cheapest meteorites, to avoid frustrations. Now with Brahin, I wanted to line out, that a carefully sealed one, even if it's not so perfect pretty looking, would be the best and I wanted to share my experience with the both main supplier of Brahin in US-ebay, as Brahin will be always the first choice for a beginning colletor, if he/she wants to own a pallasite, as it is so silly cheap at the moment. (Anyone to remember, how the Brahin price was 15 years ago?) :-). Thus again, those from Afanasjev cometshop were extremely stable and from Koutyrev finmet I heard only the best. Cheers! Martin PS: Most stable pallasite I ever had, unstabilized, uncoated, stored without dessicant was Imilac. Also a beauty! Cheapest and best available at the moment through Sergej Vassiliev Moritz Karl. Guess something around 15$/gm for translucent slices. PPS: I had a tiny Admire from Buehler many years ago. It's still in good condition. - Original Message - From: Jörn Koblitz [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Martin Altmann [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Lars Pedersen [EMAIL PROTECTED]; meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 2:04 PM Subject: AW: [meteorite-list] Is Brahin a ruster ? Hi List, back in the 1980s, I got a large, beautiful Admire slice. I kept it at low humidity and also added corrosion inhibitor to the bag in which the slice was wrapped in. During the first 10 years I checked for signs of rust from time to time. It was okay, no rust, very stable. So, I kept it alone (same storage conditions) until one year ago, when I look at it again. Well, the pallasite was in the state of disintegration, heavily rusted, olivines pressed out of the metal grid. What I want to say is, that even after so long time of stability, one can never be sure. I think, one has to check the state of such a known ruster more often. If any sign of rust, especially swallowing of olivine grains, one has to start corrective actions immediately (e.g. neutralization of acids, drying...). Rusting is a self-accelerating process, once it has started. If a meteorite is known as a ruster (like Brahin, Brenham, Admire), be very careful! __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] NASA Rover Finds Meteorite on Surface of Mars
Hi Ron, When you consider infintesimal the odds of finding a meteorite here on Earth after traversing as short a distance as the rovers have, you have to ask whether there are local factors on Mars which dramatically increase the number of meteorites per square kilometer on the surface there. I assume the lack of water there would probably significantly decrease weathering relative to Earth. I wonder also, though, whether the influx of meteorites to the surface there may be significantly greater than on Earth leading to a higher surface density. Are you aware of models or data that would predict a higher influx of meteorites to the Martian surface? Regards, Jim Baxter http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/politics/10674958.htm NASA rover finds meteorite on surface of Mars JOHN ANTCZAK Associated Press January 18, 2005 LOS ANGELES - In a stroke of luck, the NASA rover Opportunity has discovered a basketball-size metal meteorite sitting on the surface of Mars, the mission's main scientist said Tuesday. Opportunity came upon the meteorite last week while it was taking a look at a spacecraft shell that was jettisoned before landing after protecting the rover during its plunge through the martian atmosphere. Tests performed during the weekend confirm it is a nickel-iron meteorite, said Steve Squyres, a Cornell University scientist who is the principal investigator for NASA's Mars Exploration Rovers mission. I didn't see this one coming, Squyres said. I try very hard to anticipate the things that we might find and the things we might need to know, and be prepared for things, but an iron meteorite was not something that I was expecting. Whether or not other meteorites are found may help scientists determine whether the martian surface is being covered by wind-blown materials or whether surface material is being stripped away, Squyres said. Opportunity landed Jan. 24 on the Meridiani plains, halfway around the planet from where its twin, Spirit, set down in the Gusev Crater region on Jan. 3, 2004. Opportunity, a six-wheeled robot geologist, quickly discovered rocks showing that its area of Meridiani was once soaked in water, the major scientific finding of the twin-rover mission. After that it explored rocks in a deep crater and then went to conduct an engineering study of its jettisoned heat shield. The meteorite was sitting nearby. I've actually told the team that we probably shouldn't linger here long because this is obviously the place at Meridiani Planum where large metal objects fall from the sky, Squyres joked. The meteorite immediately appeared different from anything scientists had seen at either landing site. And then we looked at it with our infrared spectrometer and it looked like the martian sky, which is really weird, he said. The metal surface, he explained, was reflecting sky radiation instead of emitting much of its own. During the weekend, the rover drove to the meteorite and deployed its instrument arm to confirm its origin. The rover used its brush to remove dust but did not try to grind into the meteorite with its rock abrasion tool because of the outcome of a test conducted by the tool's maker, Honeybee Robotics of Manhattan. We contacted the meteorite department at the American Museum of Natural History in New York and they were generous enough to give us a piece of nickel-iron meteorite to try grinding into, and in like an hour of grinding we wore away about 25 percent of the grinding heads, Squyres said. We designed our rock abrasion tool for rock. We didn't design it for nickel-iron alloys. Scientists are not interested in the meteorite itself. Rather, they want to see if other objects spotted out on the Meridiani plains are also meteorites and what that might tell them about Mars. You've got sort of a steady rain of meteorites on to the martian surface. It's at a very slow rate, but they are going to accumulate over time. Squyres said. If sand is continually blowing in and being deposited on the surface, burying things and building up terrain over time, meteorites will be covered and few will be seen, he said. But if fine surface material is being continuously stripped away by the wind, coarse things like meteorites will be left behind and their accumulation will show. So whether you're seeing a net accumulation or a net burial of the meteorites is going to tell you something about what the erosion or deposition rates are out on the plains, he said. __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
