[meteorite-list] NPA 01-30-1857 Pecullar Characteristic of Meteoric Stones

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: New York Daily Times
City: New York City, New York
Date: Friday, January 30, 1857
Page: 2

     PECULLAR CHARACTERISTIC OF METORIC STONES. - There is one character 
which is peculiar in the meteoric stone, and which proves to be of high 
significance, viz: its substance is composed of various mineral ingrediants 
which are identical with matters of familiar occurrence upon the earth; but 
amidst these iron is found in great abundance as it is never found on the 
earth; that is in a native or nearly pure metallic and uncombined state. On 
the terrestrial surface iron is always mingled with diverse matters from 
which it has to be extracted by art when it is required as a pure metal. The 
omnipresent and corrosive oxygen of the air alone prevents it from 
maintaining such condition long; this rusts and eats it away. Oxygen and 
iron have so irresistibly strong an attractive or affinity for each other 
that they invariably combine when they are left together. Thus, then, the 
unoxydized and purely metallic condition of iron in the aerolite proves that 
it comes from a situation in which there is no oxygen; that is, from beyond 
the bounds of the atmosphere, and that it is, therefore, altogether 
unterrestial.

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
Wichita, Kansas
http://www.meteoritearticles.com
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