[meteorite-list] Request for help in procuring meteorites
Hello list, Some of you may recall that about 2 months ago I put out a request for a source of tektites. My reason for needing them was to raise money for the Greensboro Astronomy Club. Well, I obtained a nice supply of tektites, and along with some NWAs (unclassifieds and some nice NWA 4293 individuals) I had an opportunity last weekend to try selling them at a local Gem & Mineral show. I got a free table at the show as I am a also gem club member, and I was not doing this for personal gain. I was pleasantly surprised to have $282.00 in gross sales. Since I am not charging the club for any of the materials, the net donation is $280.00. What surprised me even more was that people kept asking me if I had any other meteorites that they could look at. Well, other than the pieces that I had in my personal collection (which are not for sale) I had to say "sorry, but I do not." It would appear that I had an opportunity to sell many more meteorites, but it slipped through my fingers because I had nothing to sell. We will have another opportunity to sell at "Tri Star," which is a day of Astronomy related talks, solar viewing, Astrophotography Contest, and an evening viewing session. Although no details are finalized yet, here is one link to our club page announcing the March, 2007 Tri Star: http://greensboroastronomyclub.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=41 Here is a link to the March, 2006 Tri Star information: http://technet.gtcc.cc.nc.us/comserv/cline/tristar.htm Please let me explain our club's project, and then I have a favor to ask. We are currently raising funds to build a small observatory outside of the Natural Science Center of Greensboro (Greensboro, NC, USA.) They have a Planetarium, and the Planetarium Curator is our club's Newsletter Editor. He is also one of our biggest supporters in terms of being there for us when we need him. We are lucky to have him. Our President has generously committed to donate a large telescope and mount for the observatory. All we need is the money to build it. The Museum is willing to help us raise some funds, but we need to demonstrate on our end that we are willing to do so as well. The aforementioned $282.00 is a nice start. And now, the favor we need. I am not a meteorite dealer. I have sold mineral specimens in the past, but none of my wholesale suppliers sold meteorites. Well, OK, there was one who had some Nantans about 8 years ago. I bought one and it rusted from the inside-out after about 3 years, and I was disappointed. But I digress... The only other way I have obtained meteorites is for my personal collection, through ebay purchases and direct purchases from several meteorite dealers. I cannot rely on ebay to obtain items for fundraising sales. To make any profit, I would have to charge way too much to offset the postage fees, and many ebay sales do not end up selling at wholesale prices. I need perhaps several dealers who would be willing to deal with me on a wholesale price basis to help us with our fundraising. Or perhaps to point me in the right direction so we can obtain meteorites at a price where we can make a decent profit. Consignment could work, but I would like to maximize profit, and I do not mind laying out the money. (Some may wonder why I do not just make a donation. Selling these specimens provides education and interest to individuals where none currently exists. We can help propagate meteorite collecting, as well as an interest in Astronomy and Space Exploration.) I am not looking for exotics as they would not be a good investment for this purpose, and my wallet. I cannot afford to buy up part slices of Lunars, Martians, PALs, or rarities, etc. that have tremendous value. I suppose that I am looking at more mainstream and reasonably priced specimens like some irons - perhaps some shrapnel or individual Sikhote-Alin, and various stony meteorites. I would like to diversify and not have all NWA materials if possible. Since I am not a meteorite dealer, I really do not know which specimens are less expensive on a wholesale basis, and still of interest to collectors. I guess in a round-about way I am saying that I am not looking at specimens that wholesale for over $8.00 per gram, or so. I am not looking to get hundreds of specimens. Probably somewhere in the range of 2 to 3 dozen so as not to break the bank. I will end up donating all of this, and at the same time, I have to maintain the house. I think all of you can relate to that. If anyone can help, it would be appreciated. Please contact me off-list if you like. (Oh, let me mention that all donations are cheerfully accepted!) Sorry to be so long-winded. Thank you! Ed __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] CLASSIFICATION SERVICE - PRICE REDUCTION - AS LOW AS $69
Well, our meteorite classification service is not going quite as well as planned. When we started we were hoping for a 3 week turnaround but was soon told that the microprobe results would be over a month so we were expecting six weeks turnaround. Unfortunately we have yet to get microprobe results in less than two months and we are actually running about 11 to 13 weeks from the time samples arrive at bathurst observatory until when we report the final classification. Three months is still fast to get a common chondrite classified (I have some waiting five years and counting from the russian academy of sciences) so we still have an OK service although if you have achondrites or C chondrites you can probably get faster service for free at the usual labs. We are working on getting this done faster but unfortunately the equipment involved and expertise required to run it is a little hard to obtain affordably. So for the next few months anyway the price has been dropped to $79 or $69 if you send a bigger sample. Details here: http://www.meteoriteshop.com/class/classify.html Hopefully we will find a faster way to get this done and raise the price again as at $69 nobody involved is making enough money to make this worthwhile but we do hope that eventually we can have a fast efficiet classification service. Those NWAs all deserve to eventually get classified and studied. After all, all meteorites are a fall. Wither somebody happened to be around to watch it fall dont affect the fact that we collect and study these rocks because they are relics from space. Sincerely DEAN Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] CLASSIFICATION SERVICE - PRICE REDUCTION - AS LOW AS $69
Well, our meteorite classification service is not going quite as well as planned. When we started we were hoping for a 3 week turnaround but was soon told that the microprobe results would be over a month so we were expecting six weeks turnaround. Unfortunately we have yet to get microprobe results in less than two months and we are actually running about 11 to 13 weeks from the time samples arrive at bathurst observatory until when we report the final classification. Three months is still fast to get a common chondrite classified (I have some waiting five years and counting from the russian academy of sciences) so we still have an OK service although if you have achondrites or C chondrites you can probably get faster service for free at the usual labs. We are working on getting this done faster but unfortunately the equipment involved and expertise required to run it is a little hard to obtain affordably. So for the next few months anyway the price has been dropped to $79 or $69 if you send a bigger sample. Details here: http://www.meteoriteshop.com/class/classify.html Hopefully we will find a faster way to get this done and raise the price again as at $69 nobody involved is making enough money to make this worthwhile but we do hope that eventually we can have a fast efficiet classification service. Those NWAs all deserve to eventually get classified and studied. After all, all meteorites are a fall. Wither somebody happened to be around to watch it fall dont affect the fact that we collect and study these rocks because they are relics from space. Sincerely DEAN Have a burning question? Go to www.Answers.yahoo.com and get answers from real people who know. __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Norbert, I do not have much to back this up, but I have been told that electronic scales can be "influenced" by a nearby fluorescent light fixture that has been turned on. This would imply that an incandescent light, natural sunlight, or some other light source that did not involve the use of ballasts or transformers would be the best light source while using such a scale. I have a gram scale that runs only on AC current. It interferes greatly with the FM radio reception in my shop whenever I use it. Perhaps the actual issue is the fact that my scale is run by AC, and is putting some kind of interference back through the electric lines. Or it may simply generate some kind of RF interference that travels through the air. With my scale causing radio problems, it makes sense that a fluorescent light could impact my gram scale. I use a fluorescent lamp to illuminate my shop, and it seems that I have to recalibrate the scale more frequently than I would expect. But I wonder if the same would hold true for a battery operated scale? Does anyone here have any such experience with this problem? Ed - Original Message - From: "Norbert Classen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 7:39 PM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice > Jim wrote: > >> I for one would like to hear your final conclusion. I have considered >> buying such a scale for some time. I have been too busy, or too lazy >> if I am to be honest, to do my homework and would love to benefit >> from your efforts. I am sure I'm one of many on the list that has >> considered buying a scale so I'm sure others would be interested as >> well. > > Good idea - I will certainly let you and the list know. And as soon as I > have my new scale I will test it as I have quite a few samples that have > been weighed rather precisely on A grade laboratory scales. So let's see > what these "cheaper" portable precision scales can do. > > This might take some weeks, but I will surely come back to it. > > All the best, > Norbert > > > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] 2006 Calendar Updated
http://www.spacerocksinc.com/RSPOD_2006.html Sincerely, Michael Johnson SPACE ROCKS, INC. 932 Hanging Rock Road Boiling Springs, South Carolina 29316-7401 USA http://www.spacerocksinc.com __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Hi Norbert, Probably better than the NET, is to check out the ones you see people using at the Tucson show and write down the type and model of the one you like best. People will readily tell you what they like and don't like about theirs, how much it costs, etc. On the net, there are a million and they all say they are superior, of course. Best wishes, Michael on 12/9/06 2:22 PM, Norbert Classen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Thanks Michael, your comments surely help. The scales I had in mind are all > in the 100$ range, like you said, and they are small portable instruments. > Anyway, I guess I'll have to look around on the net to find out which one is > the most accurate of these. > > And before I forget it: I'd also like to thank all the other people who > responded. > > All the best, > Norbert > > -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- > Von: Michael L Blood [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Gesendet: Samstag, 9. Dezember 2006 16:36 > An: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Meteorite List > Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice > > Hi Norbert, > You write, "I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital > pocket scale." In some ways, the qualities you seek are mutually > exclusive. You want: > 1) Portable > 2) "Precise" (a variable term) > 3) "Affordable" - also a variable term. > Let me share my own experience regarding the exact same > desires and also what I have seen: > I own a 4 KG scale accurate to within .1g - However, I had to > pay to have it "calibrated" exactly where it sits in my office and > not move it for it to remain "stable" and predictable in its accuracy. > (according to the calibrator, who spoke of various factors such > as how close other metal objects are as well as NEVER moving > the scale). This scale costs over $1,000 new, though I got it used > and paid for factory refurbishing and then calibration on site for > much less, as a friend sold it to me for like $75 without one of the > parts, which I easily replaced from the manufacturer. > At the other extreme, I have a scale that goes to 120g. This is > also a non-portable scale and weighs to 1/1,000th of a gram and > cost me about $5,40. > Third, I have a portable (battery driven) scale that weighs up > to like 200 Kg. It is amazingly light for what it does and only cost about > $100, though I do not know how precise it is. It is, of course, for big > irons or gigantic stones, and I take it to the show - I keep it in the > motor home, as I have infrequent use for it in the office. It is "portable." > The 4th scale I use is closer to what you want: It is a Tanita > portable (Model #1481) and cost me $42.50. It is VERY slim, metal, light > and fits easily into a shirt pocket. They list for $89 or $99 on the Tanita > site, but several dealers offer them on eBay new and "in the box." One > offers hem for the incredible price of $42.50. It will weigh up to 120g at > 1/10th of a gram. I have not compared this new one with my 4Kg scale, > but the old Tanita I had for years weighed exactly to the same 1/10th > gram as the stationary scale that was calibrated. > None of these are likely to be what you want, but generally > demonstrate the range in prices and the problem presented with > a mobile unite combining fine measurement with low price. At the show, > I have seen many units that claim to measure to the 1/100th of a gram > with accuracy with similar mobility. I think they are about $120. You > can even get a small, but not truly pocket portable unit that will go > to 1/1,000 th of a gram and are said to be "inexpensive" - but I am > not clear what that means. > You would likely be best satisfied with a truly portable unit that > measures to 1/100th in the $100 cost range, but only you would know > for sure. > Best wishes, Michael > > > on 12/8/06 4:18 PM, Norbert Classen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >> >> Hi All, >> >> I'm tired of visiting the petrologic lab of our local university each time > I >> want to accurately weigh a new sample. Besides that, I would love to have > a >> small but precise portable scale that I could carry to the shows... >> >> Since I'm mostly into micros, and more rare meteorites, such as lunar or >> martians, I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale, >> best with 1mg or 2mg resolution, and now I'm wondering how accurate the > more >> common gem and diamond scales actually are. Does anyone of you, collectors >> and dealers, have some experience with the accuracy, and properties of one >> of the following scales? >> >> - Gempro 50 (My Weight) >> - JS-VG 20 (Jennings) >> - JPG 10 (JScale Precision/Jennings) >> >> These are the ones that seem to be more common. Would you recommend the > one >> or the other? Any other scales that you could recommend? >> >> Thanks for your input, and for your advice! >> >> All the best, >> Norbert >> >> http://www.meteoris.de/ >> Planetary Meteorites >> >> >>
Re: [meteorite-list] Thin Section box
Hello Marcin, I store my slides in the small(~8.5 x 11 cm)Riker boxes. One can place 3 slides lenghtwise and two sideways and they fit almost exactly. This is not the most efficient way to store slides in terms of space but I like it because it lets me see and appreciate the slices and their structure as they are visible through the glass against the white cotton backing. Cheers, Jim Baxter > Hi Ho All > Im looking for my first box to store thin sections. Something easy to > store them and easy to see names on glass when they are in box. > > > -[ MARCIN CIMALA ]-[ I.M.C.A.#3667 ]- > http://www.Meteoryt.net [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.PolandMET.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.Gao-Guenie.com GSM +48(607)535 195 > [ Member of Polish Meteoritical Society ] > > > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Hi All, Something to consider when weighing meteorites to the milligram is that if the specimen is more than a gram or two, the humidity and porosity of the specimen will affect it weight. I had a talk with Blaine Reed about this a while ago. He mentioned that sometimes he sells something at one weight, and when it is weighted by the customer, a different value is found. Sure, it could be the difference in scales, but two calibrated milligram balances are likely both correct since the milligram is, given our pretty good technology, still a fairly gross degree of precision. Just food for thought. My stable of balances contains three Ohaus machines, a 2kg .1 res., a 200g .01 res and a 120g .001 res. set. For portability, I have a digigram 10g .002 res. and an Acculab 400g .1g res machines. Cheers, Martin On 12/9/06, Norbert Classen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Jim wrote: > > > I for one would like to hear your final conclusion. I have considered > > buying such a scale for some time. I have been too busy, or too lazy > > if I am to be honest, to do my homework and would love to benefit > > from your efforts. I am sure I'm one of many on the list that has > > considered buying a scale so I'm sure others would be interested as > > well. > > Good idea - I will certainly let you and the list know. And as soon as I > have my new scale I will test it as I have quite a few samples that have > been weighed rather precisely on A grade laboratory scales. So let's see > what these "cheaper" portable precision scales can do. > > This might take some weeks, but I will surely come back to it. > > All the best, > Norbert > > > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
--- Norbert Classen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Good idea - I will certainly let you and the list > know. And as soon as I > have my new scale I will test it as I have quite a > few samples that have > been weighed rather precisely on A grade laboratory > scales. So let's see > what these "cheaper" portable precision scales can > do. > You will probably find that you will be very close to the expensive scale and you would likely report back that it is as good if comparasons is made soon after you buy it. The problem with the cheaper scales is that they slowly degrade and six months later will be slightly off. It wont be a lot. One or two percent at first maybe. This is especially true if you move them around a lot or are in an area where there is a lot of moisture. It might not be a problem for meteorites as people rarely need extreme accuracy. I run into problems when working with gemstones though. Another problem is that after a while when the scale starts giving out the weight will start to vary between the close weight and not stop at a final number or you will get a small variation if you weigh the sample multiple times (This last problem could be found sometimes in a poor quality new scale). If your needed accuracy is .1 gram you dont really have a problem (And the scales are under $100 so not a major issue if you have to replace it anyway) but I think you said you had small stuff and you will encounter these problems when weighing to .2mg accuracy. Tanita brand is about as cheap as I would go for mg accuracy. They are reasonably durable when carying around also. Anything cheaper than tanita and you will likley have a short life span on the scales. Some of the really expensive scales dont travel well and if moved around a lot would need to get calibrated occasionally so more expensive is not necessarily better. Sincerely DEAN (AMUNRE on ebay) __ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Jim wrote: > I for one would like to hear your final conclusion. I have considered > buying such a scale for some time. I have been too busy, or too lazy > if I am to be honest, to do my homework and would love to benefit > from your efforts. I am sure I'm one of many on the list that has > considered buying a scale so I'm sure others would be interested as > well. Good idea - I will certainly let you and the list know. And as soon as I have my new scale I will test it as I have quite a few samples that have been weighed rather precisely on A grade laboratory scales. So let's see what these "cheaper" portable precision scales can do. This might take some weeks, but I will surely come back to it. All the best, Norbert __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Hello Norbert, I for one would like to hear your final conclusion. I have considered buying such a scale for some time. I have been too busy, or too lazy if I am to be honest, to do my homework and would love to benefit from your efforts. I am sure I'm one of many on the list that has considered buying a scale so I'm sure others would be interested as well. Best Wishes, Jim Baxter > Thanks Michael, your comments surely help. The scales I had in mind are > all in the 100$ range, like you said, and they are small portable > instruments. Anyway, I guess I'll have to look around on the net to find > out which one is the most accurate of these. > > And before I forget it: I'd also like to thank all the other people who > responded. > > All the best, > Norbert > > -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- > Von: Michael L Blood [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Gesendet: Samstag, 9. Dezember 2006 16:36 > An: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Meteorite List > Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice > > Hi Norbert, > You write, "I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital > pocket scale." In some ways, the qualities you seek are mutually > exclusive. You want: > 1) Portable > 2) "Precise" (a variable term) > 3) "Affordable" - also a variable term. > Let me share my own experience regarding the exact same > desires and also what I have seen: > I own a 4 KG scale accurate to within .1g - However, I had to > pay to have it "calibrated" exactly where it sits in my office and not > move it for it to remain "stable" and predictable in its accuracy. > (according to the calibrator, who spoke of various factors such > as how close other metal objects are as well as NEVER moving > the scale). This scale costs over $1,000 new, though I got it used and > paid for factory refurbishing and then calibration on site for much > less, as a friend sold it to me for like $75 without one of the parts, > which I easily replaced from the manufacturer. > At the other extreme, I have a scale that goes to 120g. This is > also a non-portable scale and weighs to 1/1,000th of a gram and > cost me about $5,40. > Third, I have a portable (battery driven) scale that weighs up > to like 200 Kg. It is amazingly light for what it does and only cost > about $100, though I do not know how precise it is. It is, of course, > for big irons or gigantic stones, and I take it to the show - I keep it > in the motor home, as I have infrequent use for it in the office. It is > "portable." > The 4th scale I use is closer to what you want: It is a Tanita > portable (Model #1481) and cost me $42.50. It is VERY slim, metal, light > and fits easily into a shirt pocket. They list for $89 or $99 on the > Tanita site, but several dealers offer them on eBay new and "in the > box." One offers hem for the incredible price of $42.50. It will weigh > up to 120g at 1/10th of a gram. I have not compared this new one with my > 4Kg scale, but the old Tanita I had for years weighed exactly to the > same 1/10th gram as the stationary scale that was calibrated. > None of these are likely to be what you want, but generally > demonstrate the range in prices and the problem presented with > a mobile unite combining fine measurement with low price. At the show, I > have seen many units that claim to measure to the 1/100th of a gram with > accuracy with similar mobility. I think they are about $120. You can > even get a small, but not truly pocket portable unit that will go to > 1/1,000 th of a gram and are said to be "inexpensive" - but I am not > clear what that means. > You would likely be best satisfied with a truly portable unit > that > measures to 1/100th in the $100 cost range, but only you would know for > sure. > Best wishes, Michael > > > on 12/8/06 4:18 PM, Norbert Classen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > >> >> Hi All, >> >> I'm tired of visiting the petrologic lab of our local university each >> time > I >> want to accurately weigh a new sample. Besides that, I would love to >> have > a >> small but precise portable scale that I could carry to the shows... >> >> Since I'm mostly into micros, and more rare meteorites, such as lunar >> or martians, I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket >> scale, best with 1mg or 2mg resolution, and now I'm wondering how >> accurate the > more >> common gem and diamond scales actually are. Does anyone of you, >> collectors and dealers, have some experience with the accuracy, and >> properties of one of the following scales? >> >> - Gempro 50 (My Weight) >> - JS-VG 20 (Jennings) >> - JPG 10 (JScale Precision/Jennings) >> >> These are the ones that seem to be more common. Would you recommend >> the > one >> or the other? Any other scales that you could recommend? >> >> Thanks for your input, and for your advice! >> >> All the best, >> Norbert >> >> http://www.meteoris.de/ >> Planetary Meteorites >> >> >> __ >> Me
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Thanks Michael, your comments surely help. The scales I had in mind are all in the 100$ range, like you said, and they are small portable instruments. Anyway, I guess I'll have to look around on the net to find out which one is the most accurate of these. And before I forget it: I'd also like to thank all the other people who responded. All the best, Norbert -Ursprüngliche Nachricht- Von: Michael L Blood [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Gesendet: Samstag, 9. Dezember 2006 16:36 An: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; Meteorite List Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice Hi Norbert, You write, "I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale." In some ways, the qualities you seek are mutually exclusive. You want: 1) Portable 2) "Precise" (a variable term) 3) "Affordable" - also a variable term. Let me share my own experience regarding the exact same desires and also what I have seen: I own a 4 KG scale accurate to within .1g - However, I had to pay to have it "calibrated" exactly where it sits in my office and not move it for it to remain "stable" and predictable in its accuracy. (according to the calibrator, who spoke of various factors such as how close other metal objects are as well as NEVER moving the scale). This scale costs over $1,000 new, though I got it used and paid for factory refurbishing and then calibration on site for much less, as a friend sold it to me for like $75 without one of the parts, which I easily replaced from the manufacturer. At the other extreme, I have a scale that goes to 120g. This is also a non-portable scale and weighs to 1/1,000th of a gram and cost me about $5,40. Third, I have a portable (battery driven) scale that weighs up to like 200 Kg. It is amazingly light for what it does and only cost about $100, though I do not know how precise it is. It is, of course, for big irons or gigantic stones, and I take it to the show - I keep it in the motor home, as I have infrequent use for it in the office. It is "portable." The 4th scale I use is closer to what you want: It is a Tanita portable (Model #1481) and cost me $42.50. It is VERY slim, metal, light and fits easily into a shirt pocket. They list for $89 or $99 on the Tanita site, but several dealers offer them on eBay new and "in the box." One offers hem for the incredible price of $42.50. It will weigh up to 120g at 1/10th of a gram. I have not compared this new one with my 4Kg scale, but the old Tanita I had for years weighed exactly to the same 1/10th gram as the stationary scale that was calibrated. None of these are likely to be what you want, but generally demonstrate the range in prices and the problem presented with a mobile unite combining fine measurement with low price. At the show, I have seen many units that claim to measure to the 1/100th of a gram with accuracy with similar mobility. I think they are about $120. You can even get a small, but not truly pocket portable unit that will go to 1/1,000 th of a gram and are said to be "inexpensive" - but I am not clear what that means. You would likely be best satisfied with a truly portable unit that measures to 1/100th in the $100 cost range, but only you would know for sure. Best wishes, Michael on 12/8/06 4:18 PM, Norbert Classen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Hi All, > > I'm tired of visiting the petrologic lab of our local university each time I > want to accurately weigh a new sample. Besides that, I would love to have a > small but precise portable scale that I could carry to the shows... > > Since I'm mostly into micros, and more rare meteorites, such as lunar or > martians, I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale, > best with 1mg or 2mg resolution, and now I'm wondering how accurate the more > common gem and diamond scales actually are. Does anyone of you, collectors > and dealers, have some experience with the accuracy, and properties of one > of the following scales? > > - Gempro 50 (My Weight) > - JS-VG 20 (Jennings) > - JPG 10 (JScale Precision/Jennings) > > These are the ones that seem to be more common. Would you recommend the one > or the other? Any other scales that you could recommend? > > Thanks for your input, and for your advice! > > All the best, > Norbert > > http://www.meteoris.de/ > Planetary Meteorites > > > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- It is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair -- What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It is what we know for sure that just ain't so. - Mark Twain __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite
Re: [meteorite-list] Tucson Auction Announcement
Greetings all, Those who know me may be aware I have been struggling with an illness that includes a bad cough and weakness for a few months. I have gone to a lung specialist for medication and last night spent the night in a "sleep center" studying my brain waves and breathing patterns (VERY weird) and will be using a breathing type device during sleep from now on. Anyway, the point of all this is I have been delayed in getting the auction catalog up on line in a timely manor. In addition, since the rent on the place I hold the auction has TRIPLED since last year, I have had to come up with some ways to cover that cost, and one of them is a graduated fee for sellers based on time they provide me with a list and quality jpg of their item(s). However, since I am late getting my catalog up (target date was Sept. 30!) I have decided to give a "special" to all list members who get me their item lists and JPGs before midnight, Sunday, Pacific time. They will get the lowest rate offered, which those who got in before Sept. 30 got - the same 10% I have charged all along. NOTE: Entries graduate as bidding time starts all the way up to 40% if you walk into the auction in the last 15 minutes before bidding begins. MANY people have done so in the past, and they will be helping to pay for the dramatic increase in overhead. I believe at the moment, a mere 15% is in effect - but as I said, for the weekend all list members get the 10% lowest possible commission rate. I do plan on having the catalog "up" within 72 hrs - in fact, I commit to doing so right now. However, I cannot guarantee ALL the photos will be "up" when I "launch" but several are in place all ready and I am working on it even now. I have 75 items to date, most of which have NO minimum bid and many of which are superb specimens (ie a 6.5g whole slice of LA 002 with no minimum - as well as many historic falls as well as super rare NWA Type specimens, etc). I am looking at limiting the catalog to 100 quality items and limit last minute entries to the highest quality specimens with little or no minimum. This should keep the auction snappy and ending at a reasonable hour - and I hope to have someone taking payments DURING the auction for those who only wanted to bid on one or two items and then leave as well as having two people "cash out" at the end (if possible). As always, I retain the right to decline any entries I believe would meet with less than enthusiastic response from bidders. This is always a balancing act between value, rarity and no or low minimum bidding, except in cases where the value or interest is so low I will not accept it even with no minimum. Any item must be one that stimulates interest. While photos do not have to be professional quality, they do need to be in focus and of reasonable quality. Please mark the SUBJECT box of your email entries, " Tucson Auction." If you do not hear back from me within 12 hrs or less, your email got lost. Please use only JPGs and NOT "Zip Files," as I cannot download most of them. Thanks! The catalog will be up SOON! Best wishes, Michael -- It is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair -- What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It is what we know for sure that just ain't so. - Josh Billings (but oft credited to Mark Twain) __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Lost/Stolen meteorites
Dear Michael and List, We have posted your lost/stolen report on our dedicated missing/stolen page here http://www.meteorite.com/missing_stolen.html We have also added your report as an RSS post to our Meteorite News RSS feed which you can see from our main page on http://www.meteorite.com/ Paul and Jim At 08:04 PM 12/8/2006, Michael Farmer wrote: >I need to report that a shipment from the Munich show >has been lost/stolen. >Jim Strope and I shipped via UPS Supply Chain >Solutions a large Muonionalusta weighing 174 kilograms >and a large Gibeon, highly sculptured, weighing 36 >kilograms. It also contained some kilos of chondrites. >The shipment has been lost for a month. It seems to >have made it to Los Angeles via United Airlines, and >simply disappeared after that. We are told that it is >likely simply buried in the United Airlines bonded >cargo warehouse and may be found soon, but on the off >chance that this shipment was stolen, we must make >public the weights of the meteorites. >If anyone has been offered any meteorites of these >weights, please notify myself of Jim Strope as I will >be in Japan until Dec 19th. It seems that shipments of >this type have been stolen before. Let this be a >warning to anyone shipping material like this. It CAN >BE LOST/STOLEN even when weighing over 500 pounds! >INSURE YOUR SHIPMENTS. > >Michael Farmer > > > > >Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. >Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com >__ >Meteorite-list mailing list >Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com >http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Apocalypto
Hi all - Considering the release of Mel Gibson's new movie "Apocalypto", I think you might enjoy the following piece I did years ago for the Cambridge Conference. Please feel free to share it with your friends. good hunting, Ed AN EXTREMELY LOW COST APPROACH TO DEALING WITH THE NEO HAZARD >From E.P. Grondine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> In recent weeks we have been greeted with repeated announcements of the reduction in funds available to NEO programs, as governments whose revenues are coming under stress due to the economic slowdown seek to economize. In view of these developments, which trend is likely to continue for at least the next couple of years, perhaps it is time to re-consider the use of the ancient Mayan technique for dealing with the hazard of asteroid and comet impact, specifically that of human sacrifice. Now many in the scientific community may scoff at the idea and dismiss it out of hand, but as the Mayan priests pointed out, once they began human sacrifice, they were never again pounded by the sky gods. So by inductive demonstration, the technique appears to work. It has the further advantage of being an extremely low cost scheme to put into operation, as it requires no payment for any telescopes, electronic devices, computers, or staff, and even less payment for the bureaucrats who manage these programs. Of course, one does run into the problem of obtaining human sacrificial victims. While the Mayan resolved this problem by sacrificing their unwanted, literally their poor bastards, given the current economic conditions and the prevalence of extra-marital sex, such a plan may not gain wide public support today. But perhaps a ready solution to this problem may lie immediately at hand, specifically, in the use of lawyers as human sacrificial victims. To my knowledge I do not believe that anyone in the NEO community has ever previously considered the use of lawyers for this purpose. What advantages does the use of lawyers as human sacrificial victims bring, aside from the fact that there appears to be an over-abundant supply of them? Well, first off, they seem to be universally despised, and this seems to be true in every nation. Given the international scope of the NEO effort, it is nice to find a common point about which the citizens of most nations can agree. Second, lawyers could easily be captured for this purpose by the simple technique of placing a newspaper advertisement seeking an attorney for a lawsuit against a wealthy corporation. Once obtained, my understanding is that lawyers may usually be sedated by the administration of flavoured alcoholic beverages. Of course, one problem with the plan may lie in ripping their beating hearts out of their living bodies, as it is widely reported that lawyers have no hearts. On the other hand, it is also widely reported that lawyers have no feelings, and this may make the entire process somewhat easier to accomplish, in the case that lawyers can indeed be found who have hearts. In the case where it does turn out that lawyers indeed do not have hearts, then that does not necessarily mean that the scheme of using human sacrifice to fend off the next asteroid or comet impact must be abandoned. It is still possible that the scheme could be realized by the use of government accountants or bureaucrats instead. Yours in science, EP Yahoo! Music Unlimited Access over 1 million songs. http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Lost/Stolen meteorites
I have had two small meteorite mailings disappear in the last few months. Both were sent via the USPS. One was a purchase and the seller was kind enough to offer a refund. I offered to split the loss and it was done. The other was a gift that never arrived. Not sure if it really got sent tho... I can understand someone ID-ing a large shipment like you lost as valuable, but why would someone, or how would someone know a small package contained a chondrite? Maybe the USPS is simply falling apart. Either that or someone is running an x-ray machine for them and using it for their own gains. I hope you find your missing shipment. What you have 'lost' is a huge investment - at least to me it would be. Good luck! Gary On 8 Dec 2006 at 20:04, Michael Farmer wrote: > I need to report that a shipment from the Munich show > has been lost/stolen. > Jim Strope and I shipped via UPS Supply Chain > Solutions a large Muonionalusta weighing 174 kilograms > and a large Gibeon, highly sculptured, weighing 36 > kilograms. It also contained some kilos of chondrites. > The shipment has been lost for a month. It seems to > have made it to Los Angeles via United Airlines, and > simply disappeared after that. We are told that it is > likely simply buried in the United Airlines bonded > cargo warehouse and may be found soon, but on the off > chance that this shipment was stolen, we must make > public the weights of the meteorites. > If anyone has been offered any meteorites of these > weights, please notify myself of Jim Strope as I will > be in Japan until Dec 19th. It seems that shipments of > this type have been stolen before. Let this be a > warning to anyone shipping material like this. It CAN > BE LOST/STOLEN even when weighing over 500 pounds! > INSURE YOUR SHIPMENTS. > > Michael Farmer > > > > > Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. > Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Scales - Looking for Advice
Hi Norbert, You write, "I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale." In some ways, the qualities you seek are mutually exclusive. You want: 1) Portable 2) "Precise" (a variable term) 3) "Affordable" - also a variable term. Let me share my own experience regarding the exact same desires and also what I have seen: I own a 4 KG scale accurate to within .1g - However, I had to pay to have it "calibrated" exactly where it sits in my office and not move it for it to remain "stable" and predictable in its accuracy. (according to the calibrator, who spoke of various factors such as how close other metal objects are as well as NEVER moving the scale). This scale costs over $1,000 new, though I got it used and paid for factory refurbishing and then calibration on site for much less, as a friend sold it to me for like $75 without one of the parts, which I easily replaced from the manufacturer. At the other extreme, I have a scale that goes to 120g. This is also a non-portable scale and weighs to 1/1,000th of a gram and cost me about $5,40. Third, I have a portable (battery driven) scale that weighs up to like 200 Kg. It is amazingly light for what it does and only cost about $100, though I do not know how precise it is. It is, of course, for big irons or gigantic stones, and I take it to the show - I keep it in the motor home, as I have infrequent use for it in the office. It is "portable." The 4th scale I use is closer to what you want: It is a Tanita portable (Model #1481) and cost me $42.50. It is VERY slim, metal, light and fits easily into a shirt pocket. They list for $89 or $99 on the Tanita site, but several dealers offer them on eBay new and "in the box." One offers hem for the incredible price of $42.50. It will weigh up to 120g at 1/10th of a gram. I have not compared this new one with my 4Kg scale, but the old Tanita I had for years weighed exactly to the same 1/10th gram as the stationary scale that was calibrated. None of these are likely to be what you want, but generally demonstrate the range in prices and the problem presented with a mobile unite combining fine measurement with low price. At the show, I have seen many units that claim to measure to the 1/100th of a gram with accuracy with similar mobility. I think they are about $120. You can even get a small, but not truly pocket portable unit that will go to 1/1,000 th of a gram and are said to be "inexpensive" - but I am not clear what that means. You would likely be best satisfied with a truly portable unit that measures to 1/100th in the $100 cost range, but only you would know for sure. Best wishes, Michael on 12/8/06 4:18 PM, Norbert Classen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > Hi All, > > I'm tired of visiting the petrologic lab of our local university each time I > want to accurately weigh a new sample. Besides that, I would love to have a > small but precise portable scale that I could carry to the shows... > > Since I'm mostly into micros, and more rare meteorites, such as lunar or > martians, I'm looking for an affordable but precise digital pocket scale, > best with 1mg or 2mg resolution, and now I'm wondering how accurate the more > common gem and diamond scales actually are. Does anyone of you, collectors > and dealers, have some experience with the accuracy, and properties of one > of the following scales? > > - Gempro 50 (My Weight) > - JS-VG 20 (Jennings) > - JPG 10 (JScale Precision/Jennings) > > These are the ones that seem to be more common. Would you recommend the one > or the other? Any other scales that you could recommend? > > Thanks for your input, and for your advice! > > All the best, > Norbert > > http://www.meteoris.de/ > Planetary Meteorites > > > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- It is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair -- What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It is what we know for sure that just ain't so. - Mark Twain __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Bolide over Denver.
Hi, My wife saw the bolide and we are in Pocatello, Idaho, about 200 miles directly north of Salt Lake City (if that helps anyone compiling such things). Cheers, Martin On 12/8/06, Dave Freeman mjwy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear List; > After a very successful day of stromatolite hunting and the meteorite > bucket coming back empty, I arrived home to a phone message from the > local newspaper. We have a witness in the Rock Springs area. The paper > has conducted a phone interview and I have directed the paper to the > Cloudbait.com site for what ever report that the person can offer. I > have offered my assistance if needed. > Best > Dave F. > ebay ID mjwy with some excellent auctions > and 4 guides, stromatolite, wood, more wood, and fossil fish. > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > >Here is the only report I have seen so far (Thanks to Ron Pearson) > > > >http://www.9news.com/acm_news.aspx?OSGNAME=KUSA&IKOBJECTID=639b9291- > >0abe-421a-01ef-cdaa7f7efc78&TEMPLATEID=0c76dce6-ac1f-02d8-0047- > >c589c01ca7bf > > > >Anybody jumping in cars or planes to come look??:-) > > > >Anne M. Black > >www.IMPACTIKA.com > >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >President, I.M.C.A. Inc. > >www.IMCA.cc > > > >__ > >Meteorite-list mailing list > >Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > >http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > > > > > > > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Effects of travel through space on comets?
Ed, Your comment about that diving from elevated heights "the water becomes awful hard" stirred a question in me that has been nagging me for some time. I have heard jumping into water at 100 feet can result in breaking your ankles and that at 300 feet the human body reacts to water the same way it would to concrete. However, how high are those Mexican Divers? - the ones that dive off the high cliffs and when they hosted the Olympics they made it an official Olympic event? It over 100 feet, why aren't they breaking their wrists and neck? Anyone know? Michael on 12/8/06 7:38 PM, E.P. Grondine at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hi all - > > I was just wondering if any of you have given any > thought to this - > > While we generally think of space as a vacuum, in fact > it is not. There are "dust" particles (some of them > chonrdules?), and if I remember correctly, about 1 > molecule of hydrogen per cubic meter - > > Now at normal speeds, this would be a vacuum. But > comets don't travel at "normal" speeds. I am reminded > of the swimmer who dives from too high a height - the > water becomes awful hard. > > I wonder if drag might change a comet's debris stream, > putting larger pieces at the head, and smaller pieces > at the end? > > > good hunting, > Ed > > > > > > > __ > __ > Do you Yahoo!? > Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. > http://new.mail.yahoo.com > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- It is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair -- What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It is what we know for sure that just ain't so. - Mark Twain __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Lost/Stolen meteorites
Hi Mike, Sorry for the problems you and Jim are having - hope they resolve easily and quickly. You DID bring up a point regarding which I have been very concerned: I have been told by USPS, UPS & Fed Ex that I would never be able to collect on insurance for a meteorite because it is a unique item and, therefore, a replacement price cannot reliably be placed on it. Now, you and I both know that you and I and most dealers can, in fact, EASILY put a very reasonable "replacement value" on the majority (99.999%) of meteorites. However, I am wondering if ANYONE on this list has EVER filled an insurance claim with the US Post Office, UPS or Fed Ex for a lost meteorite and, if so, whether it was paid. RSVP the list - I am sure everyone would be interested in this subject - or I should say, the majority, as it seems there are always at least a few that don't care about whatever is the given topic. Thanks, Michael on 12/8/06 8:04 PM, Michael Farmer at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I need to report that a shipment from the Munich show > has been lost/stolen. > Jim Strope and I shipped via UPS Supply Chain > Solutions a large Muonionalusta weighing 174 kilograms > and a large Gibeon, highly sculptured, weighing 36 > kilograms. It also contained some kilos of chondrites. > The shipment has been lost for a month. It seems to > have made it to Los Angeles via United Airlines, and > simply disappeared after that. We are told that it is > likely simply buried in the United Airlines bonded > cargo warehouse and may be found soon, but on the off > chance that this shipment was stolen, we must make > public the weights of the meteorites. > If anyone has been offered any meteorites of these > weights, please notify myself of Jim Strope as I will > be in Japan until Dec 19th. It seems that shipments of > this type have been stolen before. Let this be a > warning to anyone shipping material like this. It CAN > BE LOST/STOLEN even when weighing over 500 pounds! > INSURE YOUR SHIPMENTS. > > Michael Farmer > > > > __ > __ > Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. > Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com > __ > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list -- It is difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends on him not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair -- What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It is what we know for sure that just ain't so. - Mark Twain __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Monthly Favourite - December 2006
http://www.meteorites.com.au/favourite.html Cheers, Jeff Kuyken Meteorites Australia www.meteorites.com.au __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Week-Long Meteor Shower to Dazzle (Geminids)
Hello Sterling and all,
Please see also the following papers on Apollo asteroid 2005 UD, mini
Phaethon,
if you are interested in:
Title: Apollo asteroid 2005 UD: split nucleus of (3200) Phaethon?
Authors: Ohtsuka, K.; Sekiguchi, T.; Kinoshita, D.; Watanabe, J.-I.; Ito,
T.; Arakida, H.; Kasuga, Publication: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume
450, Issue 3, May II 2006, pp.L25-L28.
The PDF file of my paper is in "paper folder" in the following link:
http://briefcase.yahoo.co.jp/bc/tokyometeor/
Title: Physical Observations of 2005 UD: A Mini-Phaethon
Authors: Jewitt, David; Hsieh, Henry
Publication: The Astronomical Journal, Volume 132, Issue 4, pp. 1624-1629.
The PDF file of Jewitt's paper is in the following link:
http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/faculty/jewitt/papers/2006/JH06.pdf
Both Phaethon and 2005 UD are F or B-type asteroids, thus linking to
thermally metamorphosed CI/CM.
Katsuhito OHTSUKA
Tokyo, JAPAN
- Original Message -
From: "Sterling K. Webb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Ron Baalke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Meteorite Mailing List"
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 5:53 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Week-Long Meteor Shower to Dazzle (Geminids)
> Hi,
>
> Nice timing, since we've been talking about
> chunks of comet:
>
> > A final point to note are that Geminids stand apart from the other
> > meteor showers in that they seem to have been spawned not by a comet,
> > but by 3200 Phaeton, an Earth-crossing asteroid. Then again, the
> > Geminids may be comet debris after all, for some astronomers
> > consider Phaeton to really be the dead nucleus of a burned-out comet
> > that somehow got trapped into an unusually tight orbit.
>
> Discovered in 1983, Phaethon is 5100 meters
> in diameter and weighs in at 140,000,000 metric
> tons. It has a very dark surface and a density
> (vaguely) calculated at twice that of water.
> Despite being in a cometary orbit and being
> the parent body of a meteor stream in the same
> orbit, it has never shown any coma, dust, or
> gas outbursts. Dead comet? Asteroid? Or can
> we be sure there's really any difference? Yet?
> Phaethon approaches the Sun closer than
> any other numbered asteroid; its perihelion is
> only 0.140 AU, 58% of Mercury's orbital radius.
> The surface temperature at perihelion could
> reach ~1025 K.
> Obviously, it's not a ball of "ice."
> If you plan on hanging around until 2093,
> it will closely approach the Earth, passing
> within 0.0198 AU, on December 14 of that
> year. Only a week and 87 years to go.
> 3200 Phaethon is one of the objects that fit
> unto a pattern of a past breakup of a Comet
> Encke parent body, based on its orbital properties,
> an admittedly controversial idea (but a good one).
> The asteroid 3200 Phaethon was discovered
> as an asteroid, confirmed, plotted, and published,
> before Fred ("Mr. Comet") Whipple pointed out
> that its orbit was identical with that of the
> Geminids.
>
>
> Sterling K. Webb
> --
-
> - Original Message -
> From: "Ron Baalke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Meteorite Mailing List"
> Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 1:46 PM
> Subject: [meteorite-list] Week-Long Meteor Shower to Dazzle (Geminids)
>
>
> >
> > http://www.space.com/spacewatch/061208_night_sky.html
> >
> > Week-Long Meteor Shower to Dazzle
> > By Joe Rao
> > SPACE.com
> > 08 December 2006
> >
> > The annual Geminid meteor shower is expected to produce a reliable
> > shooting star show that will get going Sunday and peak the middle of
> > next week.
> >
> > The Geminid event is known for producing one or two meteors every minute
> > during the peak for viewers with dark skies willing to brave chilly
> > nights.
> >
> > If the Geminid Meteor Shower occurred during a warmer month, it would be
> > as familiar to most people as the famous August Perseids.
> > Indeed, a night all snuggled-up in a sleeping bag under the stars is an
> > attractive proposition in summer. But it's hard to imagine anything more
> > bone chilling than lying on the ground in mid-December for several hours
> > at night.
> >
> > But if you are willing to bundle up, late next Wednesday night into
> > early Thursday morning will be when the Geminids are predicted to be at
> > their peak.
> >
> > Most satisfying shower
> >
> > The Geminids are a very fine winter shower, and usually the most
> > satisfying of all the annual showers, even surpassing the Perseids.
> > Studies of past displays show that this shower has a reputation for
> > being rich both in slow, bright, graceful meteors and fireballs as well
> > as faint meteors, with relatively fewer objects of medium brightness.
> > Many appear yellowish in hue. Some even appear to form jagged or divided
> > paths.
> >
> > Unfortunately, as was the case this year with its summertime
> > counterpart, this year's December Geminids will be hindered somewhat by
> > moonlight, although to a much lesser degree tha
