[meteorite-list] FW: Okay, you get handed a rock...

[tracy latimer]

This didn't go throught the first time.  Sorry if it duplicates!

>
> ... and its owner says "I think it's a meteorite." You go through the
> usual checks (magnetism, nickel content, visible presence of metal
> grains, etc.), and it is surprisingly at least probable. What can you do at this
> point to get it checked by an authority? Most of the big U departments
> and other scientists no longer are taking potential rocks from space
> because they are getting overrun with meteorwrongs, and I don't blame
> them for not wanting to analyze yet another lump of slag. As known
> dealers and collectors, we can weed out most meteorwrongs, but every
> once in a while we have one that pings our radar.
>
> I personally wouldn't want to mess with anything unless you convinced
> me it was a new find, not a NWAXXX bought from a 'dealer' on ebay.
>
> Best!
> Tracy Latimer