[meteorite-list] Magnet canes are evil DONT THINK SO!

[John higgins]

Hello Eric,

Respectfully,
I think your statement is outrageous, especially coming from the creator of the 
upcoming Meteorite Hunting Magazine. How can you make a statement that is in 
opposition to what you are promoting?
There is nothing wrong with using a meteorite stick!
Meteorite Hunting is a fun activity that people of all ages can be involved in. 
You should know what a special experience it is to be hunting out in the field 
and find a real meteorite. Sure over time you learn that you should not hold 
magnets to meteorites, this act will make them useless for certain magnetic 
experiments. But to say from the door that magnets are bad is kind of ridiculous 
in my opinion. Everyone knows the first Meteorite test is to see if a magnet 
sticks. Sure it would be great if all Meteorite hunters were as experienced as 
you are, but this is not the case, and they cannot be taught to spot a meteorite 
without the use of a magnet, or first hand experience. That is just the reality 
that we live in. Almost every collector holds up a magnet to a meteorite to test 
it, why don't you go attack them for that matter. Meteorite Hunting is fun. I 
think any activity that promotes the science, culture, and study of them should 
be encouraged, even looking for them with a magnet on a stick!

John Higgins
IMCA# 9822


----- Original Message ----
From: Meteorites USA <eric at meteoritesusa.com>
To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Sent: Tue, August 24, 2010 1:44:42 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Magnet canes are evil

Curious about the magnetic properties of meteorites as well. We all know that 
you can magnetize metal just by placing it near a powerful magnet.

I read yesterday in Richard Kowalski's post about Brother Guy Consolmagno's 
visit to Tucson. Dr Concolmagno's research also includes the study of magnetic 
properties of meteorites. I'm sure he's not the only person to study these 
properties, but it got me to thinking about it. If one does in fact use a magnet 
cane on a meteorite, do you impart any magnetic field into the meteorite? I 
would think yes, even if it is small on a scale only readable by the most 
powerful equipment.

My question is does it cause problems with analyzing/testing? Is this a form of 
contamination?

My question would of course then be... Why use a magnetic cane at all?

If you think about it, we're "taught" NOT to remove a meteorite from it's 
original location until we get in-situ photos, and record GPS coordinates of the 
find. If you use a magnetic cane, the meteorite will be removed from it's 
ancient resting place as it "snaps" onto the magnet.

Eric




On 8/24/2010 10:10 AM, Matson, Robert D. wrote:
> Mark wrote:
> 
>    
>> As soon as everyone stops using metal detectors and magnet canes
>> to look for meteorites then the first Lunars in Europe or USA
>> will eventually be found, .... until then!
>>      
> I have never used a magnet cane, nor will I ever, and I always
> advise new hunters against their use. A magnet cane is basically
> an H-, L-, iron, and stony-iron filter. I sometimes carry an LL6
> with me to the desert on the off-chance I'll run into someone using
> a magnet cane. That usually "cures" them. ;-)
> 
> --Rob
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