Re: Meteorite question

Krztalizer <Gordon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:1181709900.046754.280090@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

If you can help, please reply to my email.- Gordon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Our museum was recently approached by a gentleman that brought in a
football-sized heavily oxidized "rock". He felt it could be a
meteorite so we have done our best to prove or disprove his theory by
taking it to several rock shops and museums.

For its size, the object is quite heavy for its size and its weight
surprises everyone that picks it up. The rock in question has a
hardness greater than 5.5 and a specific gravity of approximately 7
(these are estimates given by geologists at the local Natural History
Museum). It has oxidized to a dark brown with a hint of red. It had
a small scuff mark on one corner so we hit it with a buffer wheel and
the structure appears to be solid nickel. The rock is non-magnetic
and emits extremely low radiation - less than background in our
office. We believe it is a meteorite - the only other guess is that
it may be slag, but it gave off no sparks at all when we hit it with
the grinder. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

v/r Gordon


Hi Gordon:

Meteorite are not solid nickel, they are iron/nickel, a mixture of
iron/nickel and various types of rock or just rock. One test is to saw
off a slab and etch it to se if it has the crystal pattern that most if
not all ?iron? meteorites have. Here at Penn State University, they core
drill the suspected meteorite and then analyze the material for its
mineral content. This is coal mining country and the museum sees a lot of
?meteorites? all have turned out to be rusted chunks of what is called
?tramp? metal which are just bits that broke off mining equipment. They
are easy to tell as they have the compositon of modern metal.

John Passaneau


.

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