[meteorite-list] Meteorites smell good ...mmm

[sterling_k_webb at sbcglobal.net]

Bob,

    Fresh carbonaceous types are reputed to
have a smell from their many organic compounds.
Murchison is said to have smelled like "methylated
spirits, bitumen or kerosene." And Bob Haag was shown
one a local resident kept in a mason jar that smelled of
Bubble Gum!

Sterling
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob King" <lakewind at infionline.net>
To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 11:34 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Meteorites smell good ...mmm


> Hello all,
> A lot of us like to bring meteorites to classes we occasionally visit with
> or teach. I had this opportunity earlier this week and just for fun 
> brought
> a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper and a slice of NWA 869 for the kids to do
> a scratch and sniff. I asked them to grind away a little bit on the
> sandpaper and then take a whiff of meteorite. Most of them compared
> the odor to sulfur or matches. One 6th grader was pretty excited: "It
> smells like matches. I like the smell of matches." I explained that
> sometimes freshly fallen meteorites have a sulfurous smell.
> Though I wasn't positively certain, I'm assuming the odor is from the
> sulfur in troilite?
> Anyway, it was fun to do some "hands on" with the asteroid bits.
> Happy sniffing!
> Bob
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