[meteorite-list] New Meteorite Found in Canada

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=d78a3433-e1a9-4093-9b21-30a876345b7d

Hunter hits meteorite pay dirt
CanWest News Services
April 26, 2004

A Winnipeg man down on his luck has hit pay dirt with a couple of strange
rocks he found on a hunting trip.

Scientists have confirmed Derek Erstelle's finds are meteorite fragments
containing among the rarest and oldest materials in the solar system -- and 
are potentially worth $100,000. The news couldn't have come at a better 
time for Erstelle, 47, who has been out of work and on disability for four
years.

"I'm hoping this will clean things up a bit . . . I could certainly use 
it," Erstelle said.

Martin Beech, who teaches astronomy at the University of Regina, said 
the rocks are meteorite fragments from the core of an asteroid that was 
involved in a collision with another asteroid millions of years ago.

"Asteroid material is the first material that formed in the solar system," 
Beech said.

He said collectors would eagerly pay $10 per gram for Erstelle's rare 
find. The two fragments weigh a combined 9.8 kilograms, which could net 
Erstelle a cool $100,000.