[meteorite-list] Rock Or Meteorite? Strange Object Crashes Through Roof Of Local Business

[Robert Verish]

Hi All,
Here is a "resend" of another post that I sent to the List earlier today (but it never appeared in the Archives):

Re: [meteorite-list] Rock Or Meteorite? Strange Object Crashes Through Roof Of Local Business 
From
    * Robert Verish   
To
    * James Beauchamp     
    * Jodie Reynolds   
CC
    * Meteorite Central   

Hello All, 

I'm ready to "close the books" on this Merciless Mercer Meteor-Wrong. 

The specimen in question was brought to the Mineralogy Department of the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA.
According to the Department head-mineralogist:  
based upon a visual examination with only the aid of a microscope and a 
magnet (but with no analytical testing), he was still able to easily 
determine that this object was composed of a man-made metallic 
substance, based upon these observations:
1. It was not attracted to a magnet. 
2. It had evidence of mechanical abrasion and heat discoloration, as if it were trapped in some kind of machinery and heated through friction.  
3. It also had plenty of wood fibers adhered to the exterior when examined under the microscope.  
4. Most of the exterior was weathered but the freshly abraded areas were bright silver. 
5. It scratched with moderate difficulty with a teasing needle and had an inclusion of a slag-like material with air bubbles in it. 
Conclusion:
Probably a chunk of something from one of the mills 
that had been weathering outside until caught up in some kind of 
machinery. How it ended up going through a third story roof is anyone’s guess!

At least this Mercer Mystery was brought to a speedy resolution, unlike that 
Freehold Township Fiasco in New Jersey: 
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272212,00.html

From San Diego reporting for Meteorite-Times, 
this is Bolide*Bob 
________________________________
From: James Beauchamp <falcon99 at sbcglobal.net>
To: Jodie Reynolds <spacerocks at spaceballoon.org> 
Cc: Meteorite Central <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com> 
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 5:22 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rock Or Meteorite? Strange Object Crashes Through Roof Of Local Business

Would be interesting what a metal analysis or eutectic etch showed.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 24, 2013, at 6:37, James Beauchamp <falcon99 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>
This looks like a broken chunk off of construction equipment or an 
industrial crusher tooth.  Pretty common, actually.  When these things 
break, there is a lot of energy involved. The teeth get smashed and 
gnarled, and get flung at high velocities.   You can see the shear point
on smeared metal pattern.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Jun 22, 2013, at 5:14, Jodie Reynolds <spacerocks at spaceballoon.org> wrote:
> 
>> Aha, this link should
work:
>> 
>> http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/06/21/rock-or-meteorite-strange-object-crashes-through-roof-of-local-business/
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Saturday, June 22, 2013, 3:06:02 AM, you wrote:
>> 
>>> Hello Listers,
>> 
>>> Came across this link, not sure what to make of this, but I bet
>>> some of you on the list might know whats in the images of this article.
>> 
>>> :)
>> 
>>> Shawn Alan
>>> IMCA 1633
>>> ebay store
>>> http://stores.ebay.com/imca1633ny?_rdc=1
>>> http://meteoritefalls.com/
>> 
>>> Article
>> 
>>> "
>>> MERCER, Pa. (KDKA) — There is a mystery surrounding a
>>> strange-looking rock that came crashing through the ceiling of a Mercer County business.
>>> It happened sometime late Thursday night or early Friday morning.
>>> Employees of the business discovered the shiny, sharp-looking
>>> object inside their warehouse Friday morning."
>> 
>>> Link:
>>> http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/06/21/rock-or-meteorite-strange-object-crashes-through-roof-of-local-business/