[meteorite-list] Science Channel's Top Ten Meteorites Of All Time

Thu Dec 31 16:55:55 EST 2009

Ahhhh. Now there's an interesting perspective. Thanks Jeff.
While I have fewer of those in my collection,
it gives me  more to add to my shopping list. <g>
Or at least, more to think about.
Linton

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Grossman" <jgrossman at usgs.gov>
To: "Meteorite-list" <>
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 1:37 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Science Channel's Top Ten Meteorites Of All 
Time

> My top 10 most important meteorites of the last 250 years, off the top of 
> my head, in alphabetical order -
>
> Allan Hills A81005
> Allan Hills 84001
> Allende
> Canyon Diablo
> Elephant Moraine A79001
> L'Aigle
> Murchison
> Orgueil
> Semarkona
> Siena
>
> Peekskill, Sylacauga, Willamette and Hoba aren't even close, and no more 
> needs to be said about Tunguska, which would make my list if any were 
> actually found.  I wanted to put Pribram on the list, but couldn't fit it 
> into the top 10.  Yamato 691 was also tempting.
>
> Jeff
>
> On 2009-12-31 3:53 PM, Galactic Stone & Ironworks wrote:
>> Hi Eric and List,
>>
>> An interesting little presentation, but I don't agree with some of the
>> entries on the list.
>>
>> Let's start from #10 and work our way to the top.
>>
>> #10 - Allende.  Allende certainly belongs on the list, but I think it
>> may merit a higher rank than #10.
>>
>> #9 - Murchison.  This one also belongs on the list, and based on the
>> science alone, it should rank in the top 3 or top 5.  Murchison has
>> taught us much and it deserves a higher rank.
>>
>> #8 - Peekskill.  A fine hammer fall and a great witnessed fall.  I
>> have no issues with this one, but Murchison should rank higher than
>> Peekskill.
>>
>> #7 - Orgueil.  Historical falls from previous centuries opens a whole
>> new can of worms.  If Orgueil is included, why not L'Aigle?  Or why
>> not another type fall like Nakhla?  No offense to Orgueil, but this
>> one is dubious entry on a list that is directed towards the mainstream
>> lay-public audience.
>>
>> #6 - ALH 84001.  This one should be #1 in my opinion.  It is the Holy
>> Grail of meteorites and it contains what many scientists agree is
>> proof that life once existed on Mars.  As the latest papers have
>> revealed, the evidence for Martian life contained in this meteorite is
>> increasingly solid.  I can't think of a more significant meteorite
>> than this one.
>>
>> #5 - Sylacauga.  Mrs. Hodges would rank this one as #1.  But is it
>> more significant than ALH 84001?  In my opinion, no.  And couldn't
>> they find a photo for it?  A quick Google Image search or Encyclopedia
>> of Meteorites search reveals several.
>>
>> #4 - Sikhote Alin.  A great historical fall by all measures.  I have
>> no issue with this one, other than the obvious one - it shouldn't
>> outrank ALH-84001.
>>
>> #3 - Willamette.  Nice choice, but we are now seeing a definite bias
>> on this list towards iron meteorites.  If Willamette made the list,
>> why not one (or more) of the Cape York masses?  Heck, Murchison is
>> certainly more significant than this one.
>>
>> #2 - Hoba.   The world's biggest iron and it certainly belongs on the
>> list.  But if Hoba was selected, then why not Canyon Diablo?   The
>> glaring absence of Canyon Diablo is also made more curious by the
>> inclusion of Willamette.
>>
>> #1 - Tunguska! ......a non-meteorite.  This one is an odd choice.
>> First, it's not a meteorite, it's an impact event.  It was probably
>> caused by a meteorite or comet, but no meteorites were recovered.  And
>> if we are going to include an impact event, why not Canyon Diablo?  CD
>> is more recognizable to the target audience of this list and there are
>> tons of iron meteorites laying around to show for it.   And if we are
>> going to include speculative comets like Tunguska, then why not Tagish
>> Lake?
>>
>> It's a fun list, but you can tell an intern put it together and not
>> someone familiar with meteorites.
>>
>> Best regards and Happy New Year!
>>
>> MikeG
>>
>>
>> On 12/31/09, Meteorites USA<eric at meteoritesusa.com>  wrote:
>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> Did anyone read the Science Channel's Top Ten Meteorites of All Time 
>>> list?
>>> http://science.discovery.com/top-ten/2009/meteors/meteors.html
>>>
>>> My article on MeteoriteBlog.com
>>> http://meteoriteblog.com/top-ten-meteorites-of-all-time-science-channel/
>>>
>>> Opinions?
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Eric Wichman
>>> Meteorites USA
>>> Meteorite Blog
>>> Meteorite Wiki
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com
>>> Meteorite-list mailing list
>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>>>
>>>
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>>
>
>
> -- 
> Dr. Jeffrey N. Grossman       phone: (703) 648-6184
> US Geological Survey          fax:   (703) 648-6383
> 954 National Center
> Reston, VA 20192, USA
>
>
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