[meteorite-list] Magnetite/Glass Meteorite Balls

[Chris Peterson]

Hi Jerry-

I also operated our dust collector as a school experiment (K-8). The 
kids were involved in designing the collector, and responsible for 
taking the data. I did teach that most or all of the material we could 
see was almost certainly terrestrial, but that didn't dampen the sense 
of adventure every time the samples went under the microscope. And there 
were those few spherical particles that we couldn't be certain of...

Chris

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


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jerry Flaherty" <grf2 at verizon.net>
To: "Chris Peterson" <clp at alumni.caltech.edu>; "Meteorite List" 
<meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 6:14 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Magnetite/Glass Meteorite Balls


> Scientificly and statistically accurate in every detail I'm sure. But 
> when I brought this debris to class the next day the kids were extatic 
> that such possibilities exist. That matter extraneous to our own earth 
> might be within their reach. I purposely failed to tell them, though 
> that the whole of the planet was made of such extraneous material 
> cause I didn't want to dampen that wonderful enthusiasm.
> Because I sensed that such entusiasm leads to dreams and visions that 
> lead humankind toward distant horizons yet to be thought of much less 
> seen.
> I realize that this list is made up of a wide range of interests, 
> backgrounds and abilities.
> I present this anecdotal example as a personal experience. Holding 
> and sharing those specks gave most everyone a mind opening delight, 
> including myself. Today due to List membership I've been able to 
> acquire, to me, a treasure beyond price. But, but, but I still reflect 
> on that experience as a trifle more enduring than all the rest.
> Oh, and afterall, the suggestion to "experiment"[the use is figurative 
> of course] came from no less an authority than Jack Horkiemer "Keep 
> Looking Up", the great populizer of Astronomy.
> We sometimes wonder why funds for the further major expoloration of 
> SPACE have a habit of drying up. Why the "average" citizen could give 
> a &*^% about Mars or whatever.
> I understand that scientific research requires sustained focus, 
> deliberation, precision and repeatable experimentation. That 
> conclusions based on limited experience are dubious.
> Seems I remember somewhere hearing that at one time the notion that 
> anything could fall out of the sky was preposterous.
> So I do like to keep an open mind to possibilities outside and inside 
> too of my experience.
> Science and technology are mind blowing in their contribution to our 
> lives today.
> But you got to have that average nondedicated person cough up the 
> dough though if we'll ever see that persuit of a goal that flourished 
> during Apollo period.
>
> Jerry Flaherty