[meteorite-list] Month of February 2013 Website Updates now up!
Hi List. My updates for the month of February 2013 are completed. * The Black Hole Mystery Video of the Month Here is something I am sure all of you will enjoy! It is an incredible 5 + minute video compilation of some of the most amazing meteors (some becoming meteorites) caught on video from around the world. Awesome. http://www.ctreasurescwonders.com/secret_video.html * Also the Flash from the Past Photo of the Month is up. This showing the first found asteroid with its own moon (satellite) photographed by the Galileo spacecraft in 1993 http://www.ctreasurescwonders.com/astro_met_news_back-up.html * The Night Sky this Month for February 2013 is up as well, for those meteorite collectors/astronomers! http://www.ctreasurescwonders.com/menu_1.html * All very educational and for everyone! Hope you all enjoy. Sincerely Don Merchant Founder-Cosmic Treasures Celestial Wonders www.ctreasurescwonders.com IMCA #0960 __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] NWA 7325 - sensational new find - photos
Dear list members, I know that many meteorite friends are waiting for photos of NWA 7325. As promised, here comes a few photos of this absolutely unique new achondrite. It is really surprising that in the history of meteorite research so far only a single meteorite of this type was found. We have already many kilograms of rare Martian und Lunar meteorites in our collections, but nothing like this. NWA 7325 and appears to be a new type of planetary rock and as far as I know, it is at the moment the only candidate for a meteorite from Mercury. It is very different from all other know ungrouped achondrites which are all more of less primitive . NWA 7325 is a exciting dicovery and because of its uniqueness defenitely a holy grail of meteorites. The main mass of NWA 7325, a fragment with a weight of little bit over 100 g. Please note the amazing light-green fusion crust. Green and glassy fusion crusts are known from a few Lunar meteorites but they all don´t have an exterme color as this one. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-1.jpg Another view of the main mass with a broken surface and unusual dark green color. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-2.jpg A polished cut surface of NWA 7325 with wonderful green chromium diopside crystals, surrounded by plagioclase and forsterite. The plagioclase is almost transparent. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-3.jpg NWA 7325 consists of 35 fragments ranging from pieces under 1 g to pieces with a weight of about 100 g. Probably all fragments of a single individual. On the following photo is a smaller fragment with vesicular fusion crust. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-4.jpg By the way, I wish all Tucson visitors a wonderful time! I wish I could be there. Hopefully next year it will be possible.. Best wishes, Stefan SR-Meteorites www.sr-meteorites.de www.moonrocks.de __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] The controversy about 'Allah's Tear' (the Altay Meteorite)
The controversy about 'Allah's Tear' (the Altay Meteorite) Original: http://news.sina.com.cn/c/sd/2013-02-01/121926177622.shtml translation: http://translate.google.de/translate?hl=desl=zh-CNtl=enu=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.sina.com.cn%2Fc%2Fsd%2F2013-02-01%2F121926177622.shtml Martin Postfach fast voll? Jetzt kostenlos E-Mail Adresse @t-online.de sichern und endlich Platz für tausende Mails haben. http://www.t-online.de/email-kostenlos __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Ka tol Main Mass
Hello All, For a few photos: http://www.fallsandfinds.com/page71.php If you're curious about the classification, just find me at Tucson. Will be in town all this weekend with slices, complete stones, etc. Regards, Jason On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 5:09 PM, Brandon b1dunov...@aol.com wrote: I do second that Mike. I am curious what the mass looks like given the only real pictures are from the Indian media and GSI. Brandon D. On Jan 31, 2013, at 7:04 PM, Galactic Stone Ironworks meteoritem...@gmail.com wrote: Got any photos? I'm not in the market to buy, but I'm curious what the big stone looks like. :) Best regards, MikeG -- - Web - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone Twitter - http://twitter.com/GalacticStone Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/galacticstone RSS - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516 - On 1/31/13, Me Teor m3t30r1t3...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Listees The main mass from the Ka tol fall is available for viewing and purchase at the HTCC in Tucson. Please email me if interested. Thanks M.E __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] NWA 7325 - sensational new find - photos
Hi Stefan, Stunning pics! Thanks for sharing. I imagine all meteorite hunters are even now calibrating their eyes to pick up that distinctive green-colored fusion crust. Cheers, Frank From: Stefan Ralew ste...@meteoriten.com To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Fri, February 1, 2013 4:20:04 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] NWA 7325 - sensational new find - photos Dear list members, I know that many meteorite friends are waiting for photos of NWA 7325. As promised, here comes a few photos of this absolutely unique new achondrite. It is really surprising that in the history of meteorite research so far only a single meteorite of this type was found. We have already many kilograms of rare Martian und Lunar meteorites in our collections, but nothing like this. NWA 7325 and appears to be a new type of planetary rock and as far as I know, it is at the moment the only candidate for a meteorite from Mercury. It is very different from all other know ungrouped achondrites which are all more of less primitive . NWA 7325 is a exciting dicovery and because of its uniqueness defenitely a holy grail of meteorites. The main mass of NWA 7325, a fragment with a weight of little bit over 100 g. Please note the amazing light-green fusion crust. Green and glassy fusion crusts are known from a few Lunar meteorites but they all don´t have an exterme color as this one. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-1.jpg Another view of the main mass with a broken surface and unusual dark green color. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-2.jpg A polished cut surface of NWA 7325 with wonderful green chromium diopside crystals, surrounded by plagioclase and forsterite. The plagioclase is almost transparent. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-3.jpg NWA 7325 consists of 35 fragments ranging from pieces under 1 g to pieces with a weight of about 100 g. Probably all fragments of a single individual. On the following photo is a smaller fragment with vesicular fusion crust. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-4.jpg By the way, I wish all Tucson visitors a wonderful time! I wish I could be there. Hopefully next year it will be possible.. Best wishes, Stefan SR-Meteorites www.sr-meteorites.de www.moonrocks.de __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Workshop: Comets as Tracers of Solar System Formation and Evolution
http://icw.space.swri.edu/index.htm Comets as Tracers of Solar System Formation and Evolution July 9-11, 2013 Toulouse, France Abstract submission deadline: March 31, 2013 On-line registration deadline: April 30, 2013 Maximum number of participants: 60 We are pleased to announce a workshop on the role of comets in understanding the formation and evolution of the Solar System. This meeting will take place in a three-day science program comprised of themed sessions, and featuring a mixture of invited reviews, invited and contributed talks and posters. The workshop will cover topics ranging from the dynamical and chemical evolution of the solar nebula during formation, to the techniques for measuring the composition of comets. Invited speakers include some of the community leaders in cometary science, measurements and technology development. We will discuss the role that Rosetta measurements will play in understanding the origin of Solar System bodies, and what future missions to comets are being planned. Abstract submissions for posters and for talks are encouraged, although the number of talks available is limited in order to keep the meeting to three days. Register early, as space is limited to no more than 60 participants! There will be a special issue of the journal Planetary and Space Science devoted to the works presented at this meeting. Science Organizing Committee: Kathleen Mandt (co-chair) Olivier Mousis (co-chair) Michael A'Hearn Dominique Bockelee-Morvan Anita Cochran Paul Feldman Michael Mumma Michael Toplis Local Organizing Committee: Michel Blanc Jeremie Lasue David Mimoun Jean-Marc Petit Henri Reme Sylvie Roques __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] NEED HELP FOR A FRIEND ... Please.
Hello, On behalf of a close friend, I have decided to ask for help from the meteorite community. Recently my friend of almost 30 years, Leo Mercado lost his daughter Audrey. She was 27 years old and Audrey had 3 beautiful little girls. She died suddenly from a heart attack due to an embolism. This event has left the family in deep shock, of course. I know many of you remember that I lost my daughter Sarah in June of 2012. I can relate to what Leo is going through. Leo Mercado is a good man who has helped many people with his medicine work. He is a native of Arizona and is a Medicine Man of the highest kind. He lives simply and does not have many financial resources. I would like to sell a lot of my ebay items this week and give him the money for funeral expenses and such for his daughter Audrey. I am not asking for money outright, but if there is anything in my ebay store that you might want... please buy now. I will be giving Leo and his family all the proceeds from my sales for the next 5 days. Check These out: Thanks, Michael Cottingham ALL SALE ITEMS HERE: http://stores.ebay.com/voyage-botanica-natural-history ALL AUCTIONS HERE: http://shop.ebay.com:80/merchant/meteorite-collector_W0QQLHQ5fAuctionZ1QQ __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] NEED HELP FOR A FRIEND ... Please.... correction
Hello, On behalf of a close friend, I have decided to ask for help from the meteorite community. Recently my friend of almost 30 years, Leo Mercado lost his daughter Audrey. She was 27 years old and Audrey had 3 beautiful little girls. She died suddenly from a heart attack due to an embolism. This event has left the family in deep shock, of course. I know many of you remember that I lost my daughter Sarah in June of 2012. I can relate to what Leo is going through. Leo Mercado is a good man who has helped many people with his medicine work. He is a native of Arizona and is a Medicine Man of the highest kind. He lives simply and does not have many financial resources. I would like to sell a lot of my ebay items this week and give him the money for funeral expenses and such for his daughter Audrey. I am not asking for money outright, but if there is anything in my ebay store that you might want... please buy now. I will be giving Leo and his family all the proceeds from my sales for the next 5 days. *Also, if there is nothing in my ebay store that interests you, but you would still like to help, you can send a donation to my paypal account, mikew...@gilanet.com please mark for Audrey. Check These out: Thanks, Michael Cottingham ALL SALE ITEMS HERE: http://stores.ebay.com/voyage-botanica-natural-history ALL AUCTIONS HERE: http://shop.ebay.com:80/merchant/meteorite-collector_W0QQLHQ5fAuctionZ1QQ __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] The First-Ever Meteorite from Mercury? (NWA 7325)
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/The-First-Ever-Meteorite-from-Mercury-189374981.html The First-Ever Meteorite from Mercury? by Kelly Beatty Sky Telescope February 1, 2013 NWA 7325 is a meteorite like no other. Found in Morocco last year, this clutch of small stones looks to be a near-perfect geochemical match to the surface of the innermost planet. When dynamicists run the numbers, it's at least statistically possible that meteorites should fall to Earth from all over the inner solar system - even from Mercury Spurred by the Messenger orbiter's close scrutiny of Mercury's surface, the hunt has been on to find meteorites from the innermost planet. All previous candidates (called angrites and aubrites) are close but imperfect matches to the unique composition found by Messenger on Mercury's surface: dark igneous rock enriched in magnesium but virtually free of iron. Now, finally, they might have one in hand. [Image] Weighing just a bit more than 100 g, this is the largest fragment of the meteorite NWA 7325. Note the amazing light-green color of its fusion crust - one of many characteristics hinting that it might be from the planet Mercury. The cube at right is 1 cm square. Click here http://www.sr-meteorites.de/NWA7325/nwa7325-1.JPG for a larger view. Stefan Ralew sr-meteorites.de Last April, German meteorite dealer Stefan Ralew bought a clutch of 35 small meteorites that had been found a few months earlier in the Moroccan desert. The fragments from a single fall totaled about 12 ounces (354 g). Right away he could see that they were unusual: Their fusion crust, created by flash heating as they decelerated in Earth's atmosphere, was greenish. This was especially evidence in the largest, golfball-size piece, weighing just over 100 g. Green and glassy fusion crusts are known from a few lunar meteorites, Ralew explains, but they all don't have an extreme color as this one. The new Moroccan find is now officially known as Northwest Africa 7325 http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=55627. Ralew sent samples to the laboratory of Anthony Irving (University of Washington), well known for his expertise with unusual meteorites from the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere.Once cut open, the stones revealed interiors full of a stunning emerald-green silicate mineral infused with chromium. The crystals were relatively large and obvious, suggesting that the magma from which they solidified cooled slowly. Irving and his team found lots of magnesium and calcium in the suite of silicate mineral, but even more important is what didn't find: they contain virtually no iron. Irving, who'll present his team's findings http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/pdf/2164.pdf at a planetary-science conference next month, is trying to keep his enthusiasm in check. NWA 7325 is tantalizing, and certainly more consistent with the Messenger results than either angrites or aubrites, he explains, but we need a [spacecraft-returned sample] for 'ground truth'. [Interior of meteorite NWA 7325] A polished cut surface of the meteorite NWA 7325 reveals green crystals of the silicate mineral diopside (colored by chromium ions). This meteorite contains abundant magnesium and calcium yet almost no iron - hallmarks of what geochemists believe rocks from Mercury should be like. The cube is 1cm tall. Click here http://www.sr-meteorites.de/NWA7325/nwa7325-3.JPG for a larger view. Stefan Ralew / sr-meteorites.de Shoshana Weider (Carnegie Institution of Washington), who's spent years studying Messenger's spectra of Mercury http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2013/pdf/2189.pdf, likewise offers a cautionary note. The planet's surface seems to be rich in the silicate mineral enstatite, which is not obvious in NWA 7325. Also, there shouldn't be so much calcium. To explain these discrepancies, she and Irving agree that meteorite might have been a deeply buried rock - well below the surface - before a powerful collision sent it flying off into interplanetary space. There are still many unknowns about these weirdly green space rocks. Tests are under way to determine how long ago they crystallized and how long they were exposed to cosmic rays as they drifted in space before reaching Earth. One way to zero in on planetary paternity would be to see if NWA 7325's ratios of three magnesium isotopes match what Messenger's gamma-ray spectrometer is seeing on Mercury. It's a challenging observation, explains Patrick Peplowski (Applied Physics Laboratory), because there's magnesium in part of the GRS's housing. There does exist the potential to detect different magnesium isotopes, but I expect that the errors on any resulting isotopic ratios would be at the ~5% level, Peplowski says. I suspect that this is larger than would be needed to compare to NWA 7325, but I'm not sure. Another idea is to melt one of the NWA 7325 stones and then let it cool and recrystallize under controlled conditions, to see how closely the result mimics Mercury's
[meteorite-list] Mars Odyssey THEMIS Images: January 28 - February 1, 2013
MARS ODYSSEY THEMIS IMAGES January 28 - February 1, 2013 o Channel (28 January 2013) http://themis.asu.edu/node/6080 o Ascraeus Mons (29 January 2013) http://themis.asu.edu/node/6081 o Holden Crater Dunes (30 January 2013) http://themis.asu.edu/node/6082 o Daedalia Planum (31 January 2013) http://themis.asu.edu/node/6083 o Channel (01 February 2013) http://themis.asu.edu/node/6084 All of the THEMIS images are archived here: http://themis.asu.edu/latest.html NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) was developed by Arizona State University, Tempe, in co.oration with Raytheon Santa Barbara Remote Sensing. The THEMIS investigation is led by Dr. Philip Christensen at Arizona State University. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the Odyssey project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Opportunity Update: January 23-30, 2013
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html#opportunity OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Sampling Several Rock Targets - sols 3200-3207, Jan. 23, 2013-Jan. 30, 2013: Opportunity is moving around the inboard edge of Cape York on the rim of Endeavour Crater, performing in-situ (contact) science investigations. On Sol 3200 (Jan. 23, 2013), the rover completed its study of the Whitewater Lake outcrop with a Microscopic Imager (MI) mosaic of target Ortiz2b and a subsequent Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) placement on the same for an overnight integration. On Sol 3203 (Jan. 26, 2013), Opportunity left the Whitewater outcrop and headed for the Flack Lake area with a 71 feet (21.5-meter) drive to the north. On Sol 3205 (Jan. 28, 2013), the rover performed a slight turn for communications to improve relay downlink and performed a Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT) bit imaging survey to assess the bit usage. On Sol 3206 (Jan. 29, 2013), Opportunity approached a Newberry-rich target to the west with a 16 feet (4.8-meter) bump, to investigate the small spherules. On the next sol, a MI mosaic was performed on the Newberry-rich target, named Fullerton1, followed by an overnight APXS placement. No amnesia events with the Flash file system have occurred since Sol 3183 (Jan. 6, 2013) and the rover is otherwise in good health. As of Sol 3206 (Jan. 29, 2013), the solar array energy production was 534 watt-hours with an atmospheric opacity (Tau) of 0.974 and a solar array dust factor of 0.644. Total odometry is 22.05 miles (35,481.74 meters). __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] NWA 7325 - sensational new find - photos
Hi all listers Congratulations Mr Ralew thank you for opening a new porte of hope for other ungrouped meteorites. best regards to all Cheikh - Original Message - From: Stefan Ralew ste...@meteoriten.com To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Cc: Sent: Friday, 1 February 2013, 12:20 Subject: [meteorite-list] NWA 7325 - sensational new find - photos Dear list members, I know that many meteorite friends are waiting for photos of NWA 7325. As promised, here comes a few photos of this absolutely unique new achondrite. It is really surprising that in the history of meteorite research so far only a single meteorite of this type was found. We have already many kilograms of rare Martian und Lunar meteorites in our collections, but nothing like this. NWA 7325 and appears to be a new type of planetary rock and as far as I know, it is at the moment the only candidate for a meteorite from Mercury. It is very different from all other know ungrouped achondrites which are all more of less primitive . NWA 7325 is a exciting dicovery and because of its uniqueness defenitely a holy grail of meteorites. The main mass of NWA 7325, a fragment with a weight of little bit over 100 g. Please note the amazing light-green fusion crust. Green and glassy fusion crusts are known from a few Lunar meteorites but they all don´t have an exterme color as this one. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-1.jpg Another view of the main mass with a broken surface and unusual dark green color. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-2.jpg A polished cut surface of NWA 7325 with wonderful green chromium diopside crystals, surrounded by plagioclase and forsterite. The plagioclase is almost transparent. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-3.jpg NWA 7325 consists of 35 fragments ranging from pieces under 1 g to pieces with a weight of about 100 g. Probably all fragments of a single individual. On the following photo is a smaller fragment with vesicular fusion crust. http://www.sr-meteorites.de/nwa7325/nwa7325-4.jpg By the way, I wish all Tucson visitors a wonderful time! I wish I could be there. Hopefully next year it will be possible.. Best wishes, Stefan SR-Meteorites www.sr-meteorites.de www.moonrocks.de __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com/ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Asteroid 2012 DA14 To Pass Very Close to the Earth on February 15, 2013
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news177.html Asteroid 2012 DA14 To Pass Very Close to the Earth on February 15, 2013 Paul Chodas and Don Yeomans NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office February 1, 2013 The small near-Earth asteroid 2012 DA14 will pass very close to the Earth on February 15, 2013, so close that it will pass inside the ring of geosynchronous weather and communications satellites. NASA's NEO Program Office can accurately predict the asteroid's path with the observations obtained, and it is therefore known that there is no chance that the asteroid might be on a collision course with the Earth. Nevertheless, the flyby will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up close. Asteroid 2012 DA14 will be closest to Earth on February 15, 2013 at about 19:24 GMT (2:24 p.m. EST or 11:24 a.m. PST), when it will be at a distance of about 27,700 kilometers (17,200 miles) above the Earth's surface. This is so close that the asteroid will actually pass inside the ring of geosynchronous satellites, which is located about 35,800 kilometers (22,200 miles) above the equator, but still well above the vast majority of satellites, including the International Space Station. At its closest, the asteroid will be only about 1/13th of the distance to the Moon. The asteroid will fly by our planet quite rapidly, as a speed of of about 7.8 kilometers/second (17,400 miles/hour) in a south-to-north direction with respect to the Earth. Even though 2012 DA14 is coming remarkably close, it will still only appear as a point of light in the biggest of optical telescopes because of its small size. Based on its brightness, astronomers estimate that it is only about 45 meters (150 feet) across. It will brighten only to magnitude 7.5, too faint to be seen with the naked eye but easily visible in a good set of binoculars or a small telescope. The best viewing location for the closest approach will be Indonesia, from which the asteroid will be seen to move at a rate of almost 1 degree per minute against the star background. Eastern Europe, Asia and Australia are also well situated to see the asteroid around its closest approach. But by the time the Earth rotates enough for observers in the continental United States to have a chance to see the asteroid, it will have receded and faded to about 11th magnitude. Radar astronomers plan to take images of the asteroid about 8 hours after closest approach using the Goldstone antenna. 2012 DA14 has not been in our catalogs for very long -- it was discovered in February 2012 by astronomers at the La Sagra Sky Survey program in southern Spain and reported to the Minor Planet Center. The asteroid had just made a fairly distant passage by the Earth, about 7 times farther than the distance to the Moon when it was first detected by the Spanish group. Since 2012 DA14's orbital period around the Sun has been about 368 days, which is very similar to the Earth's, the asteroid made a series of annual close approaches, this year's being the closest. But this encounter will shorten 2012 DA14's orbital period to about 317 days, changing its orbital class from Apollo to Aten, and its future close approaches will follow a different pattern. The close approach this year is the closest the asteroid will come for at least 3 decades. This passage of 2012 DA14 by the Earth is a record close approach for a known object of this size. A few other known asteroids have flown by the Earth even closer, but those asteroids were smaller. On average, we expect an object of this size to get this close to the Earth about once every 40 years. An actual Earth collision by an object of this size would be expected much less frequently, about once every 1200 years on average. The diagram below shows the south-to-north trajectory of 2012 DA14 passing safely above the Earth's surface but well within the ring of geosynchronous satellites. [Diagram] __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Holocene Start Impact Event Controversy Continues
Hi Paul - Boslough's comment on the lack of evidence for a shower of comet fragment airbursts is getting a lot of media play. What he said is true: there is a lack of evidence for a continent wide shower of comet fragments. What Boslough did not mention or is not being reported is several recent possible major astroblemes, such as Ilturalde Crater and the Lloydminster Structure. Nor that the layer of impactites has been independently confirmed by others. While we've all been misquoted before, my current working hypothesis is that this whole thing is perhaps just a bit of pettiness on Boslough's part that Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory was chosen for the work on AIDA, the Asteroid Impact Deflection Analysis spacecraft, instead of his own Sandia Labs. After all, Boslough has been hanging out with Morrison, and if there's a pettier scientist I have yet to meet him or her. Denial is a strange psychological mechanism, and undoubtedly we will hear stories about how an asteroid impact did not kill the dinosaurs for many years to come. E.P. Grondine Man and Impact in the Americas __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Meteorite Picture of the Day
Today's Meteorite Picture of the Day: Lakewood Contributed by: Frank Carroll http://www.tucsonmeteorites.com/mpod.asp __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
