[meteorite-list] NWAs and their country of origin

[Jeff Grossman]

That's why we call these NWA.  We report what we are told about the 
meteorites.  If we can resolve conflicting information, we will.  But 
often it is impossible or difficult.

Jeff

On 7/30/2012 2:56 PM, Prof. Zelimir Gabelica Université de Haute Alsace 
ENSCMu, wrote:
> Dear Jeff, list,
>
> I overlooked with curiosity the link suggested by Jeff (example of NWA 
> 2986 described in Met Bull). Nothing to argue about the O isotopic 
> data, all is OK there.
>
> But read the whole writeup by curiosity and note that NWA 2986 is 
> "probably paired with NWA 2975 and related stones".
>
> Upon clicking at NWA 2975 (link given), it appears its country is 
> Algeria, the meteorite being purchased by M. Farmer in Erfoud 
> (Morocco) but beneath, it is said that the place op purchase 
> is...Algeria.
> Nothing dramatic though somewhat confusing...
>
> Now, back to NWA 2986.
> If both shergottites are paired, souldn't one expect they were found 
> in the same country ? Though the find place for NWA 2575 is referred 
> to as Algeria while Morocco is claimed to be the find place of NWA 
> 2986 ...
>
> Strange again, this could suggest to some readers that both were 
> possibly found somewhere near the border of the two countries 
> (logically, where they fell...)
>
> Both were purchased (at different moment) in the same city (Erfoud) by 
> the same person (Farmer). Though not sure the seller was the same 
> (only Mike can tell).
>
> It is possible the seller N° 1 told Mike NWA 2975 was found in Algeria 
> and the N° 2 that NWA 2986 comes from Morocco. Or  that the same 
> seller claimed the same...Or perhaps he (or they) actually did not 
> know at all where it was found...or forgot?...or mentined a country 
> just by chence...or by purpose ?
>
> Why, in such a confusing case, not simply mention as country "NWA" or 
> "Sahara", as it is often mentioned so for most of the NWAs ?
>
> Is there somebody in the NomCom supposed to correct and to address 
> these obvious uncertainties some day ?
>
> Thanks and best wishes,
>
> Zelimir