[meteorite-list] Possible Mars meteorite!

[Michel Franco]

Dear list

According to the meteorite definition: a meteorite is an extraterrestrial 
object that had survived crossing EARTH atmosphere.

So far the object found on Mars has not survived crossing any Earth 
atmosphere, it can't be called a meteorite. But  the Met Soc is certainly 
the entity entitled to decide what is going to be the new name for this 
object.

my 2 cents

Michel FRANCO


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Grossman" <jgrossman at usgs.gov>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 8:49 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Possible Mars meteorite!


> If confirmed, it can be named, but won't need any special designation like 
> "Aresite"... it will simply be another asteroidal meteorite, this one 
> found on Mars.  It would be wrong to call it a Martian meteorite because 
> the adjective refers to the place of origin, not the place of find.  We 
> already have several meteorites that were found on the Moon, both named 
> for their place of find (Hadley Rille and Bench Crater).  Something tells 
> me the NomCom would waive the type specimen requirement.
>
> jeff
>
> At 02:12 PM 1/13/2005, Greg Hupe wrote:
>>Hi Rob and list,
>>
>>Rob said,  "One question:  what do we call a meteorite found on Mars? 
>>"Martian
>>meteorite" is ambiguous...  --Rob"
>>
>>I guess they would have to call it "Opportunity 001" as it is the closet 
>>locality that may be considered a Post Office. It does send and receive 
>>messages and images after all ;-)
>>
>>Best regards,
>>
>>Greg
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Matson, Robert" 
>><ROBERT.D.MATSON at saic.com>
>>To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>>Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2005 2:00 PM
>>Subject: [meteorite-list] Possible Mars meteorite!
>>
>>
>>>What a coup if this find by Opportunity turns out to be a meteorite!
>>>Even if it isn't a meteorite, the rock looks very interesting -- not
>>>least for being all alone in the middle of nowhere.
>>>
>>>If it does in fact turn out to be a meteorite, this would make for an
>>>interesting entry in the Meteoritical Bulletin!  One problem:  no type
>>>specimen submitted.  ;-)  About all that will be known with extreme
>>>accuracy are the latitude and longitude (albeit Martian latitude and
>>>longitude).  Upper and lower bounds on the mass can be estimated from
>>>the dimensions, and after grinding with the RAT and taking some
>>>lose-ups, they should be able to differentiate between iron, chondrite,
>>>achondrite, pallasite, mesosiderite, etc.  If chondrules are visible,
>>>they might even be able to make an educated guess between H/L/LL or
>>>carbonaceous.
>>>
>>>One question:  what do we call a meteorite found on Mars?  "Martian
>>>meteorite" is ambiguous...  --Rob
>>>______________________________________________
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>>
>>______________________________________________
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>
> Dr. Jeffrey N. Grossman       phone: (703) 648-6184
> US Geological Survey          fax:   (703) 648-6383
> 954 National Center
> Reston, VA 20192, USA
>
>
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