[meteorite-list] email to the list from Phil Mani

[Paul Harris]

Dear List,
Phil was having difficulties getting his email to post to the list so 
I am forwarding it for him.

From: <mailto:manicomfort at msn.com>Philip mani
To: 
<mailto:Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com 

Sent: Saturday, October 21, 2006 9:13 AM
Subject: Brenham Project

This letter is my first post to the Meteorite List after being a 
long-time reader.  I am the fortunate beneficiary of much recognition 
from so many of you related to my Brenham Project with Steve 
Arnold.  Thank you for your kind words and encouragements.  With this 
posting, I wanted to publicly recognize certain individuals who are 
the main contributors, in my opinion, to our most recent expedition 
and without whose efforts and creativity the wonderful story written 
by Associated Press would not have been possible.

It was last July when I began conversations with Carolyn Sumners, 
Director of Astronomy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  I 
offered HMNS an opportunity to join Steve and I in Kansas on a 
meteorite search and recovery project.  Mrs. Sumners was excited 
about the opportunity and asked me what specifically HMNS could 
contribute as far as unanswered questions about the find.  I told her 
we questioned the timing/age-date assigned to the fall and we wished 
to try to pin-down its timing.  We discussed several methods for 
age-dating and left her and her experts to further discuss and 
implement the methods for age-dating.  A second question is the 
direction of the meteorite fall, specifically, its bearing and 
descent angle.  This question is more complex and we felt we needed 
to gather as much survey information as possible without disturbing 
the meteorites and the soil around them.  At this point, Mrs. Sumners 
contacted Dr. Essam Heggy with the Lunar Planetary Institute 
regarding his ground penetrating radar work.

I informed Steve and he said he would do his best for the museum.  I 
remained convinced he could find another meteorite.

After all details with the HMNS, LPI, and our landowners were worked 
out, I contacted our good friend, Darryl Pitt, to assist with all 
facets for release of information to the public regarding this expedition.

You all know our results.

Steve was able to pull the golden rabbit out of the hat.  My sincere 
appreciation and congratulations to him once again and, if you have 
seen the strewnfield you understand why.  He tells me he feels his 
ability to do so again from this point on will be less and 
less.  Therefore, our search and recovery efforts for Brenham 
meteorites is beginning to wind-up.

Carolyn Sumners' group from HMNS included astronomers, geologists, 
paleontologists and archeologists with long and storied excavation 
and recovery experiences.  It was a joy and a treat to be an observer 
of their efforts.  I am excited for them and their unique meteorite 
recovery.  Good going.

Dr. Heggy, with LPI, was faced with a substantial change of 
conditions from those he originally anticipated in the 
field.  Southwest Kansas had received quite a bit of rain and in the 
last three days, we were in constant heavy drizzle, blown sideways by 
20-plus mile an hour winds.  If not for the excitement of the project 
and all involved, it would have been miserable to be in such 
conditions for the 12 or more hours per day.  Dr.  Heggy adapted his 
equipment and techniques and continued to proceed as diligently as 
the rest of us without becoming discouraged.  His efforts too were rewarded.

Finally, but certainly not least, Darryl Pitt single-handedly 
prepared the initial press release and then he, along with the 
brilliant efforts of a colleague of his in New York, facilitated the 
amazing Associated Press story by Roxana Hegeman.  Darryl worked 
closely with Roxana a day or two before Monday's final excavation of 
the museum's 154-pound pallasite and she was very well prepared for 
what to expect on the final day.  It was only yesterday evening I 
learned that Roxana's story has enjoyed the widest world-wide 
distribution of any story ever pertaining to meteorites (with the 
exception of the announcement of ALH84001).  Certainly amazing.

I am grateful to be a part of the Brenham Project.  I have learned 
much more than I ever anticipated being a meteorite collector.  This 
particular chapter of our project was such a treat to watch 
unfold.  I am reminded of Greg's words to the List that this is an 
awesome story where meteorite hunters, collectors and scientists can 
join to work together closely in the field using new equipment to 
make a wonderful meteorite recovery.  I am blessed to have participated.

Congratulations to Carolyn Sumners and her HMNS team for their 
thoughtful work and the additional, continuing work to come both in 
age-dating the fall and hopefully determining the fall direction and angle.

Great-going Dr. Heggy for your successful use and application of the GPR.

Hats-off to Darryl for facilitating the AP wire story or, as I told 
him Tuesday morning when I learned it had already been picked up 
around the world "Wow! Wow! Wow!  It's amazing!"

To the List, so long for now.  Steve and I are off to write another 
chapter for the Brenham Project and we intend to make it a good one.

Very truly,

Phil Mani

Philip C. Mani
Attorney at Law
19206 Huebner Road, Suite 202
San Antonio, Texas  78258
(210) 403-9461 Office
(210) 403-9264 Fax
(210) 860-6264 Cell
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