[meteorite-list] NPA 02-21-1977 Meteorite Find Follows Photos - Innisfree Meteorite

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: Lethbridge Herald
City: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Date: Monday, February 21, 1977
Page:  13


Meteorite find follows photos

     INNISFREE (AP) - Scientists who photographed a meteorite falling across 
Alberta's sky earlier this month have found a piece of extra-terrestrial 
rock.
     It weighs four pounds and nine ounces and was found on a crust of snow 
on farm land near this community 90 miles east of Edmonton.
     Astrophysicist Ian Halliday of the National Research Council said 
recently he was combing the area he believed the meteorite had fallen in 
when he spotted the rock from the back of a snowmobile.
     "The thing that makes it so special is that we have pictures of the 
meteorite coming down through the atmosphere," he said. "Because of that we 
know how fast and where it was coming from in the solar system.
     "This is only the third time that a meteorite has been found after it 
was photographed coming down."
     Scientists believe the meteorite is part of a planet which broke up 
4,000 million years ago.
     A massive chunk of it punched its way into the earth's atmosphere two 
weeks ago.
     Robert Follinsbee economic geology professor at the University of 
Alberta, said when he heard of the meteorite he called Alan Blackwell of the 
department of physics at the University of Saskatchewan and suggested he try 
developing films in automatic cameras he had placed at strategic points.
      "In the camera facing Innisfree there was a really good, clear 
photograph," Dr. Follinsbee said.
      "It is difficult to be precise about meteorites because of the 
enormous stresses and strains they are put under when they enter our 
atmosphere at high velocity, he said.
     "More than 90 per cent of most meteorites are burned up before they 
reach the earth's surface," Dr. Follinsbee said "They usually explode - due 
to heat and other stresses - and tiny pieces of the remainder can be 
scattered over several square miles."
     While scientists are pleased with their find and have started to test 
the rock, farmer Peter Biellesch - on whose land the rock was found - is 
pleased as well.
     If the rock is the only piece found he could receive up to $500 for it.

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
www.meteoritearticles.com