[meteorite-list] Meteorite To Be Display Around New Zealand

[Ron Baalke]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/21/content_1537361.htm

Meteorite to be displayed around New Zealand
www.chinaview.cn 
June 21, 2004

WELLINGTON (Xinhuanet) -- The meteorite that crashed last weekend 
through a house in Auckland, New Zealand, is likely to be made 
into a traveling showpiece, the National Radio reported Monday.

The Auckland couple Phil and Brenda Archer have rejected offers 
of up to 20,000 US dollars for the 1.3-kg grapefruit-sized rock 
that crashed through the roof of their Ellerslie home last 
Saturday morning. They will meet two representatives from 
Wellington's Te Papa Museum next week on how to make a 
professional display with the meteorite.

Phil Archer said the display was likely to include the couch 
and ceiling which were damaged by the rock's entry into their 
home.     

The walls and carpet in the lounge where the rock hit or came 
near would also be cut up and included in the display so that 
people could see exactly what the couple saw when the rock hit. 
"We are looking at getting experts to design it (the display) 
so it can be collapsed and moved around," he said.

The Archers have been paid by their insurance company for the 
damage.

He said they rejected bids for the 4.5 billion-year-old rock.

The Archers, who are retired and own real estate, said they 
might sell the rock once it had been shown around New Zealand.

The couple have received calls from potential buyers in New 
Zealand, Australia, the United States, Britain and Israel.