[meteorite-list] Sutters Mill - Proper Care Guide

[Jim Wooddell]

Hi Mike and all!

The real truth is all of them are already contaminated.

Teflon bags are IMO the best for transport and any kind of handling.  A 
glass desiccator a really good idea for storage!  You can be creative with 
jars and make some cool long term displays if you have a place where you can 
find cool jars that can be sealed.

Don'ts are:  Membrane Box / in anything bleached...like white paper, 
napkins, etc.,

Most of us have seen crumbling in aluminum foil.  These things are friable! 
I say again, these things are friable. If it is never to be looked at or 
moved, then aluminum foil, I think is ok....but REALLY BAD idea if you are 
going to open and close it to show and tell.  It's too tough a material to 
have next to these things in that environment.  Also, in regards to how 
these are being handled in the field with aluminum foil, the foil is being 
contaminated which then transfers to the specimen.  IMHO, NOT a good idea in 
the real world.

When using foil in a lab, the sample is normally just placed on a sheet of 
foil and moved from test station to station in a tray.  It may be carefully 
folded over the sample to create a bag,  and it's NEVER used in the way it 
was used in the field at Sutter Mill.  I really did cringe many times over 
this.

Note, some people were wearing the proper gloves, however they did not 
understand the use of the gloves.  I watched one couple with gloves, wipe 
their face, touch their ungloved other hand, pet their dog, touch their 
pants with the gloves on!  Might as well not had the gloves on!  Not only 
that, the gloves they had were place in their pockets prior to putting them 
on!  Their intent was in the right place, the procedure was not...because 
they just did not know!



Cheers!

Jim



Jim Wooddell









----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Hankey" <mike.hankey at gmail.com>
To: "meteoritelist" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 11:28 AM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Sutters Mill - Proper Care Guide


> Hi,
>
> I'm wondering if anyone has a developed a how to guide for caring for
> this meteorite.
>
> I've heard it should be refrigerated to keep bacteria from growing on
> it , but i also heard, freezing it damages the crystals.
>
> I'm also curious, doesn't bacteria grow on everything and all
> meteorites equally, or will this meteorite get more bacteria on it?
>
> I've also heard things about using nitrogen to stabilize it. And a few
> other things.
>
> I just want to get a straight answer regarding the 'best' way to care
> for this meteorite.
>
> With all these pieces coming out of the field I think someone should
> write up a guide about this, maybe someone already has?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike
> ______________________________________________
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