[meteorite-list] Meteorite People

[Paul Harris]

Dear List,

If you decide to participate please send the answered interview 
questions to me privately.

Thank you,

Paul



On 7/12/2014 10:43 PM, Galactic Stone & Ironworks wrote:
> Hi Paul and List,
>
> Nobody in their right mind cares about my involvement in meteorites,
> but for giggles, here goes :
>
> 1.  What or who got you interested in meteorites and how old were you
> when you got your first meteorite?
>
> Back in late 2006, Bob King was selling some meteorites on Astromart
> and I bought a few of them.  The rest is history.   So, I credit Bob
> for getting me started.  Or, some of you can blame him for bringing me
> in.  LOL.
>
>
> 2.  What was your first meteorite?
>
> A small NWA 4293 (H6) individual.
>
>
> 3.   Do you still have it?
>
> Yes I do and I would never sell it at any price.
>
>
> 4.   Do you have special areas of interest that you focus on in
> regards to meteorites (thin sections, photography, chemistry, age
> dating..  etc)?
>
> I am interested in the processes of weathering and terrestrialization.
>
>
> 5.   Does your Family share in your interest in meteorites?
>
> No, they think I have rocks in my head.
>
>
> 6.   Do you have any special approaches to collecting? (Type
> collection, only stones, only irons, only by aesthetics, etc. or any
> and all that you like.)
>
> Falls of any kind, rare types, and unusual/anomalous specimens.
>
>
> 7.  Do you mind saying how many locations your collection represents?
>
> About 120 localities.
>
>
> 8.  Is your collection displayed or kept in a dry box or both?
>
> They are kept in a climate-controlled cabinet.
>
>
> 9.   In what ways do you use your computer for meteorites. (met-list,
> Social Media, meteorite research, shopping, etc)
>
> All of the above.
>
>
> 10.  Do you ever hunt for meteorites?
>
> No, I have never broken my meteorite-hunting cherry.  Although I am
> constantly on the lookout for them while hiking or beach-combing, I
> know my chances of a cold find at the beach or in the Florida woods is
> nil.
>
>
> 11.  What is your favorite meteorite in your collection?
>
> My little NWA 4293 pebble, because it got me started.
>
>
> 12.  What is your favorite overall if it is not the one above?
>
> My Chelyabinsk pieces - the most significant fall of the 21st century (IMO).
>
>
> 13.  What makes these of special interest?
>
> Change a single variable and an entire city would have been flattened
> by Chelyabinsk. This fall has shown us the importance of early
> detection of incoming space rocks.
>
>
> 14.  What meteorites are currently on your wish list?
>
> NWA 7034, Kakangari, St. Louis, Thiel Mountains, a large Gujba slice,
> Sutter's Mill, a witnessed fall lunar when one finally happens,
> Australite flanged button, Wabar pearl, and any meteorite with an
> interesting story behind it.
>
>
> 15.  What methods have been most successful in building your
> collection? (Buying at shows, from dealers by mail, auctions on the
> web,   trading... etc)
>
> Dealers through the mail and trades.
>
>
> 16.  Which Shows do you attend?
>
> No major shows, just some small local rock and fossil shows in Florida.
>
>
> 17.   Do you also collect related materials like impact glasses,
> breccias, melts, tektites, shocked fossils, native iron rocks etc?
>
> Yes to all of the above.  I especially like Moldavite, LDG, and
> unusual tektites/impactites.
>
>
> 18.  Do you prepare any of your own specimens? (cut, polish, etch, etc.)
>
> Yes, I cut and polish stones.  I have never etched an iron yet.
>
>
> 19.  Have you had to take any special measures to protect them from
> the environment?
>
> I try to curate my specimens carefully - minimal handling,
> climate/humidity control, and secure storage.  I do not openly display
> any specimens.
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>