[meteorite-list] rock on the noggin story

[AL Mitterling]

Hi Sterling and all,

Good post on the hot and cold issue. It's my believe that most 
meteorites are cool to the touch when they fall. However and as in life 
there are always exceptions. Apparently the Portales Valley New Mexico 
fall had specimens that were hot to the touch. One of these meteorites 
landed on a tarp and melted the tarp. Unfortunately the finder pull the 
melted tarp off the meteorite. You can still see plastic from the tarp 
melted on the meteorite though. I believe the meteorite is in the 
possession of Blaine Reed (last I talked to him).

Years ago on the list we had the hot/cold debate. People have pointed 
out a number of exceptions of meteorites being hot. In some cases they 
get that way when they create friction from penetrating objects like 
wood in houses. Noblesville was said to be warm to the touch when Brodie 
Spauding and his friend picked up the meteorite just after the fall.

I one time had a hard time believing in the exceptions to the rule. I 
now believe that some specimens coming down (and as Sterling has pointed 
out) are a reality.

--AL