[meteorite-list] New Nevada Meteorite Aug 2005

[wahlperry at aol.com]

Hi List ,

I was hunting a new area last week and was lucky enough to find a new 
Nevada meteorite . The day started out with rain and lighting but the 
temperature was great in the 90's with full cloud cover. The normal 
temperature for this time of year is 115 . I decided to go to the first 
area but the rain and lightning kept me from doing to much searching . 
I had saw an area 1 hour from this location that I always wanted to 
check out but never had time . After driving to the second location the 
rain had slowed to a drizzle and I still had full cloud cover. The 
cloud cover makes it easier to spot meteorites verses full sun .The 
full sun and time of day mixed with the shadows makes it harder to spot 
meteorites . I hunted the full day looking at what I thought were the 
best areas of the hill side. But after 4 or 5 hours of wandering around 
the desert I had enough of this punishment and decided to go back to my 
truck and refill my water and get a cold drink out of the ice chest. I 
spotted what looked like a clearing or a small blow out that was on the 
way so I decided to take one last look. There were only 4 or 5 black 
rocks on the surface . When I got close enough to the last one I knew 
it was a meteorite by it's rusted appearance , shape and what looked 
like fusion crust . But the only sure test was the magnet which stuck 
to the meteorite like it was a piece of metal . At that moment I did 
the famous Indian dance . After photographing the meteorite in situ and 
with the Gps ,I picked it up . It looks like the top and bottom were 
broken off and missing . I returned with my Whites GMT detector .The 
meteorite would give off a strong signal 10 inches away from the coil . 
I searched the clearing and surrounding area with no luck . Now comes 
the hard part trying to determine if this is single stone or a piece of 
a larger fall. The meteorite weighs 240 grams . The interior looks like 
it has more visible metal than a Franconia . The chondrules are not as 
round and there is some rust . My guess it is a H 5-6 .


Sonny

http://www.notkin.net/sonny/new-finds-aug-05.htm