[meteorite-list] RE:"Aventura del Monte Meteorite"

[MARK BOSTICK]

Hello Steve,

The seller is not interested in ending the auction and I could do a nickel 
test and etch it myself in front of him if he would.

My scratch test was not done on the crust, you are right, that would tell 
nothing.  There is a small break on one edge I did not photograph....or at 
least the photograph did not come out, where I tested it such.  One needs to 
be careful on stones that when you get a sample...it is of the meteorite.  
Report my Covert article in MT a few years back for the reasoning here.

The sikhotes in our collection were rusty when found, have been cleaned and 
have been painted.  This stone pulled out of the ground is rusting out the 
triolite, if it is a meteorite, yet has no surface rust.  I also as I noted 
I do not think Sikhote is a good example to compare to.  I have a couple 
dozen Sikhotes that look like metal buttons.  Should I use those as examples 
if I find metal buttons in a field tomorrow?

Now if it was slag, and the triolite inclusions are just where it released 
it gases, then that would also explain why it has so many on top....yet none 
on the different looking bottom.  And it would also exlpain why none of the 
pitting appears to aligned in elongated forms...on any side or section.

But it might be a meteorite I as I have said.

I just think I need more information for a better opinion.  So I agree when 
you say "You have to get a piece of metal. Cut and polish the face of the 
fragment, etch and see what pattern emerges."  Or find the nickel %, to know 
more, but the seller isn't interested.....perhaps some list member will buy 
it and report to us more later.


Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
Wichita, Kansas
www.meteoritearticles.com