[meteorite-list] Geologists Find Meteorite on Panama Beach

[Sterling K. Webb]

Hi,

After 24 hours, still no other news reports.
Assuming this is not a newsman's fantasy,
the remark:

> appears to be mainly carbon-based

could be reporter-distort for "it's a carbonaceous
chondrite." As for the Panamanian source, I think
they have the name wrong, but there is a Panamanian
government geologist named Juan de Dios Villa Mata
(not "Juan de Dios Villa").

The wonders of Google strike again.  He is, as 
described, a major figure in the National Mineral 
Resources Directorate and was the coordinator
of the Panamanian portion of Canada's RadarSat2
survey in 2002.

And speaking of Mystery Rocks... What ever 
happened to The New Jersey Iron?!


Sterling K. Webb
-------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Baalke" <baalke at zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>
To: "Meteorite Mailing List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 8:46 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Geologists Find Meteorite on Panama Beach



http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/01/content_5786159.htm 

Geologists find meteorite on Panama beach
China View
February 28, 2007

PANAMA CITY (Xinhua) -- Panamanian geologists have found 
an meteorite at Rio Hato, a coastal town west of the capital Panama 
City.

The meteorite fell onto Rio Hato's beach last Friday, geologist 
Juan de Dios Villa told the press on Wednesday.

The landing was witnessed by a security guard, who described it 
as a ball of fire crashing down from the sky onto the sand.

The 4.2 kg red object, measuring 20 cm in diameter, will be 
X-rayed for more details, said Villa, chief geologist at the 
National Mineral Resources Directorate.

The meteorite shows burn marks on its exterior, and appears to be 
mainly carbon-based, in contrast to most meteorites, which mainly 
contain iron.
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