[meteorite-list] ...Mail or Algeria...

[Walter Branch]

Hi Doug and Everyone,

>but I think the Haviland/Greenburg/Brenham situation >illustrates this fine 
>given the community pride there.

This name has confused me for some time.  I have seen references to all 
three being used to refer to pallasites.  I have also seen references to all 
three being used to describe an iron (non-pallasite) meteorite.

What is "official."

-Walter Branch
________________________
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "mexicodoug" <mexicodoug at aol.com>
To: <Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 4:44 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] ...Mail or Algeria...


> Hello, Anne, Greg, List (old message that didn't post properly, sort of a 
> 'synonym' superceded by my post to Martin),
>
> Anne, I must disagree.  A synonym in biology is "A scientific name of an 
> organism or of a taxonomic group that has been superseded by another name 
> at the same rank.".  While you may be thinking about the non-scientific 
> "synonym", or the type of synonym used in botany which leaves room for 
> interpretation in classification, I expect the NomCom has a steadfast 
> policy.
>
> I don't think it is a good idea to see the 35 synonyms of Campo del Cielo 
> including "El Taco" as "accepted" plastered all over collections, eBay, as 
> being implied with Oum Dreyga (still wondering, is Serpent-mother a 
> translation?).  At issue is not whether the meteorite has been called 
> Amgala in the past - this obviously is the case or there would be nothing 
> to talk about.
>
> Being "accepted" as a synonym to me means nothing more than a confirmation 
> that this synonym is scientifically obsolete the way I interpret this, and 
> the MetSoc/USGS database is trying to be helpful to insure official 
> nomenclature so old names can be properly classified, not to perpetuate 
> unofficial (but recognized before the modern science was done) synonyms. 
> But I could be wrong as my ... always tells me:-),
>
> In the words of Zelimir referencing Captain Blood (May 11, 2005: Is Amgala 
> Official?: excerpted from met-list)
>
> "...Oum Dreyga is just as fine as Juancheng.  Hey Marcin, you'll get used 
> to it soon. You can talk about Amgala but you should sooner or later 
> re-write your labels with the new name, so as to fit the official 
> decisions, and remain the serious and reliable dealer you are now.  After 
> all, be happy thet the Nom Com maintained "Bensour", another name that was 
> used everywhere, everytime, before the official classification....
>
> "You are completely right Michael. This is true not only in Botany but 
> also in the recent meteorite history.  A couple of years ago, I purchesed 
> "Turkmenbashi" and "Heze" (names that are still on the original labels). 
> Many of us probably still remember that these names now respectively 
> correspond to the well (best) known meteorites
> "Kunya Urgensh" and "Juancheng".  There should be many other such 
> examples, Canon Diablo included"
>
> My thoughts (almost) exactly!  Thanks Zelimir.
>
> As to Greg's suggestion, the only bulletin that comes up after I looked, 
> as Anne mentioned lists the official name as Oum Dreyga in MB89 and 
> mentions in the description, "Fragments have been sold under the names 
> Amgala and Gor Lefcah."  That is the reference as to why it is a "synonym" 
> on line.  Simply because fragments of Oum Dreyga have been sold as those 
> two names.
>
> Perhaps listing them for sale on eBay as Gor Lefcah (or Amgala) is 
> considered "adhering to the highest standards of meteorite identification 
> and proper labeling practices," but I amicably disagree.  If my 
> assumptions are mistaken, and the MetSoc guidelines support this, I will 
> proceed to relabel all of my meteorites with the names I like better that 
> are synonyms and talk about them as such.
>
> This gets to Greg's interesting comment on whether a meteorite is named 
> where it starts being recovered or where most falls when given these 
> options.  I would think the main mass is the most logical, but these are 
> decisions for the NomCom as the competent governing body and probably open 
> to comment before publication by interested parties.
>
> It is important to realize that a significant amount of pride comes to 
> many towns and villages when a meteorite is named after their population. 
> There are many meteorites published in previous bulletins that chose one 
> name over another for considerations like Greg's, and this does make some 
> people feeling left out, especially when not much else is is on the list 
> of attractions.  I could mention a long list in less affluent countries, 
> but I think the Haviland/Greenburg/Brenham situation illustrates this fine 
> given the community pride there.
>
> Best wishes and great health,
> Doug
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