[meteorite-list] 1848: light produced when "meteorite" sawn-possible or...

[Chris Peterson]

Well, keep in mind this was written by somebody who was astonished that the 
meteorite didn't light the house on fire (something that should have been 
understood even in 1848). And the description of the exposed straw is a bit 
odd- it sounds like they are just seeing normal straw with unweathered 
surfaces exposed. So my take on what is being described during the cutting 
is that some sparks were flying- perfectly believable depending on what the 
saw was made of and how it was lubricated. I've thrown sparks when cutting 
stone.

Chris

*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Martin Altmann" <Altmann at Meteorite-Martin.de>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] 1848: light produced when "meteorite" 
sawn-possible or...


> Hiho,
>
> I have problems in understanding:
>
> "In sawing the mass,
> globules were inflamed by the friction of the
> teeth of the saw, and a bright light produced."
>
> What for globules? Globules inside Braunau?
>
> In ignoring "globules" I'd say, that one never sees, while cutting, what 
> is
> going on inside the piece, until the pieces finally are separated.
> Perhaps they meant only the sparks, which are caused by cutting iron.
>
> Thanks,
> Martin