[meteorite-list] Anyone remember this?

[Jason Utas]

Right, but one has to understand that experts are trained to deal with
thin sections and polarizing microscopes.  What we do as hunters,
dealers, and collectors is a much more laid-back, truly unscientific
way of dealing with space rocks.
Of course, that's not to say that we're not right most of the time,
but it's a different kind of right.  The initial video that came out
weren't good enough to say either way (both Darren and myself, as well
as other prominent list members noted the possibility of it being a
meteorite at the time), but better pictures were posted a short while
later which promptly changed my mind, as well as those of other list
members.

http://www.mail-archive.com/meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com/msg52768.html

When I saw those pictures, I repeatedly posted that it wasn't a space rock:

http://www.mail-archive.com/meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com/msg51575.html

Furthermore, I'm not surprised that more intensive studies weren't
conducted on the piece of metal; once it was determined to be
terrestrial, it hardly seems relevant as to where it came from - or
would you like to cover the bill for a neutron activation?
I agree that it would be interesting to see where it came from, but
you're probably looking at another metallic part from a wood-chipper,
or something along those lines.  Why spend hundreds or thousands of
dollars to find out where it came from?  I guess if you have the money
to blow on it, by all means, go for it, but I'm of the understanding
that most universities would consider the money better spent
elsewhere.
And I may not have a degree yet, but I'm currently working towards
astrophysics over here.
Regards,
Jason


On Fri, May 8, 2009 at 10:01 AM,  <MeteorHntr at aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 5/8/2009 11:25:52 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
> meteoritemike at gmail.com writes:
> I just don't understand how any "expert"  could be fooled by that
> object in the first place.
>
> MikeG,
>
> It happens ALL the time. And reporter "experts" are sometimes  the worst.
> I don't know how reporters can mess up simple facts.  If  it was political,
> it stands to reason why a reporter would error ALL the time in  favor of
> their candidate or topic, but something as benign as meteorites, and  they
> still mess things up.
>
> We should have a media "Hall of Shame" website  devoted to chronicling all
> the meteorite mistakes as they happen!
>
> Here is  the scenario:
>
> Geologist at the nearest Junior College gets a call from a  reporter with
> the "facts":  "Man has hole in his roof, with a metal rock on  the floor
> under the hole.  Fairly certain it is a meteorite, what do you  think?"  Expert,
> walking between classes he is teaching: "Does a magnet  stick to this so
> called 'meteorite'?"  Reporter: "Yes,  strongly."
>
> Expert, choking on his coffee: "Sounds like it is the real  deal, can I see
> it?"
>
> With TV cameras rolling, 2 hours later the expert  arrives at the scene,
> with fresh images of meteorites in his head that he found  on Google just
> before he headed out of the office, he is handed the object and  he says...
>
> We all know what he says.  Just read the quotes.
>
> That is how it  happens.
>
> The universe is now rotating around him instead of the  sun for a few days
> and his head is spinning on his great fortune.  He  starts swerving over
> into other areas of expertise like Financial Advising,  telling the finder not
> to be suckered into selling his meteorite too cheap to  the first greedy
> dealer that comes along to rip him off.
>
> Or he  goes the other way and tells the finder, that if he donates the rock
> to his  institution, that all the positive PR this will generate for his
> school will  help him get on that tenured track he is coveting.  Oh wait, he
> THINKS  that, he actually tells the finder that only science will find the
> mysteries of  the universe locked in his rock if he gives it to the school,
> and that if a  dealer gets it instead, it will only be cut into pieces.
>
> He starts thinking about the grant money he can get when he writes the
> paper on it.  Maybe he will get to speak at the Rotary Luncheon?  Even  now his
> students that laugh at him will HAVE to respect him.
>
> I could go  on, about how "science" will have to look at the donated object
> through glass,  as the committee at the school responsible for it won't
> allow it to ever be  cut...but I won't.
>
> Shove a TV camera in front of about anyone, and it  amazing what comes out
> of their mouth sometimes.
>
> Steve  Arnold
>
>
>
> **************Remember Mom this Mother's Day! Find a florist near you now.
> (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=florist&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000006)
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