[meteorite-list] Mars and Beyond

[Gary K. Foote]

Hi Doug and all,

> Looks like the source of that Mars rock you kindly investigated a
> while back 
> :-)  Just kidding!!!

Interestingly enough the man who owns the 'mars meteorite' sent a specimen whose origins 
may be suspect.  In fact, when we went to see his rock I gave him a small NWA so he could 
have a meteorite of his very own.  Maybe he sent that for analysis.  The 'Mars Meteorite'  was 
written up in the Lancaster NH newspaper a few months ago as a proven-in-the-lab 
meteorite, but then there was some disagreement as the University he sent it to had it sent 
for independent analysis and that caused the University to insist on a retraction from the 
paper which had cited them as the analysis team.  I have the article and the retraction around 
here somewhere and will post a copy of both if anyone is interested.  So, needless to say,  
the guy is still convinced [duh!] and the issue is even more muddy that before.

>  "El Dorado" may be somewhat dynamic and also a haze of silt near
> it  sometimes, like "Pigpen" in Charlie Brown.

Great simile.  I'll look closer to see if there is a blanket somewhere in the picture ;^>

> 3.  To make a composite image, they have to equalize the brightness
> somewhat.  Like trying to show detail a rich black Eucrite fusion
> crust in a 
> photo together with an off white matrix.  This calls for selective
> "alteration" of the image.

I have had others suggest it is an artifact from processing.  Seems the most likely candidate 
for truth.  The rocks all have that same greenish tinge, too.

> Hope that holds the aliens at bay:-) (But you gotta know it won't)

Naw - They were over for a few beers last night and afterwards flew off a bit wobbly 
mumbling about eBay.  :)

Gary in Vermont