[meteorite-list] Brenham Project

[Moni Waiblinger-Seabridge]

And thank you for sharing it all with us Mr. Mani and Steve!
Wonderful achievements!

Sincerely, Moni

>From: "Philip mani" <manicomfort at msn.com>
>To: <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>Subject: [meteorite-list] Brenham Project
>Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:13:47 -0500
>
>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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