[meteorite-list] my previous post
Hello again folks: I see I got my Michaels mixed up - sorry. Hopefully, I'm not the first to do so. ;) But, the exact same sentiment goes out to Mr. Farmer - ROCK ON, DUDE! Pamela__ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] meteorite cutting
Hello all: Even though I am a lightweight in the meteorite world - I want to weigh in on the discussion going on right now concerning cutting meteorites. I am the curator of the Woolard Hinkle Williams Meteorite Collection that belongs to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I can't imagine how boring this collection would be if all of the meteorites were just whole lumps. The cut, polished, and etched pieces are educational beyond belief. I could stand and talk all day about what is inside a meteorite - but, it would never make sense to the person on the street. Take for example, the Delaware fall was a single specimen. Had Allan Shaw not cut the Delaware, we may not have the main mass right now in the WHW collection. UALR could never have afforded the whole meteorite. It would be a shame for a meteorite that fell in Arkansas to exist in one piece in one collection - and probably never seen by an Arkansan. I also have a very small personal collection. And although my collection is small - I am very serious about it. I would never have been able to afford whole pieces of any significance. I'm a single mother with a passion for rocks from space, thanks to Robert Woolard and the late John Williams. I recently added 3 pieces to my collection thanks to Robert and Mike Farmer. I can't describe the feeling when I opened the package and found my beautiful Vaca Muerta end piece, a funky SA shrapnel piece, and a small, non-descript, whole Canyon Diablo. When my son's friends drop by the house - I get such a kick out of showing them my small collection. I watch them study the cut pieces with honest interest. I love the look on their faces when I drop a 400 g mundrabilla in their hands - their eyes fly open - surprised at the weight of the chunk. And watch as they try their thumb in each one of the thumbprint indentions. Then I take a small Allende, hold it up under the lamp, and turn it until they see a pop of light from the surface. What is that? they ask. I can't resist a wry smile as I drop it in their eager hands and tell them they are holding stardust and diamonds. Then I show them a small sliver of the Delaware. There is just something about a rock from space landing in Arkansas, a few slivers coming to live in my collection, and then being touched by Arkansas kids. It connects them to space in a way you just can't fathom until you see the light in their eyes. The most fun is when I tell them the Vaca Muerta is the Dead Cow meteorite - that always elicits a giggle, or five. Imagine, teenagers accidently learning something! I can't wait until I can find a small etched piece to show my kids. Never underestimate the value of the learning opportunity. If Michael Blood is buying the dust and slivers of cut meteorites and selling them in various ways - then I say YOU GO DUDE! What would you have folks do - just throw that material away? That would be a travesty. Never cutting a specimen to reveal the beautiful and wonderous insides would be a travesty. Never etching an iron to show the Weidmanstatten would be a travesty. Some of you purists out there may not agree with my point of view. And those of you that don't - obviously NEVER introduced a child to their first meteorite. Pamela Shireman__ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Steve's Imilac Trip
Steve, Great story! (I may regret this) but, I have to ask ... Why were Marvin and Harley delayed? Pamela Shireman __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] meteorwrong stories
Hi List: I love meteorwrong stories. As the director of the planetarium in Little Rock, Arkansas - I've seen my share of wrongs. I've had approximately 10 submissions - and one I was sure was a pretty little iron. I offered to send it for testing, but the young man didn't want to - he said he was going to keep it either way because he liked it, and if it wasn't he didn't want to know. I had an older couple that called and said they had a meteorite that weighed about 20 pounds. In about 30 minutes - they arrived with a nice sized flat rock, that had been spray painted silver (complete with paint drips down the sides). Trying to be tactful - I told them it didn't have any of the usual characteristics, however, if they wanted, I would be glad to consult a local meteorite expert (Robert Woolard), as well as a geologist at the University. They insisted that they didn't have time for all that fal-de-rall - but, they would let me have it for $500, but only if I gave them cash. I declined. But, my favorite story comes out of Louisiana. Two men contacted a local planetarium and said they found a meteorite. The director asked them a few questions, and from their description it really didn't sound like a meteorite. Still the men insisted they were positive. Finally, the planetarium director had to ask - What makes you so sure it is a meteorite? Because when we stick our tongues to it - and it tingles. The planetarium director choked back the giggles and invited them to bring it in - he had to see what it was. They arrived some time later - with what appeared to be hardened poop. The director's best guess was deer or dog. The men looked a bit green around the gills when they left. The director kept the poop on his desk for years as his favorite example of a meteorwrong. Pamela Shireman, Director EpiSphere Digital Planetarium 3301 East Roosevelt Road Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 501-838-2252 __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] latest fall?
Hello Everyone: I am new to the list, and I need a hand. I've received some of the latest digests, and I'm sure you know what it is like to walk in on the middle of a conversation. If you wouldn't mind bringing me up to speed, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm the director of a planetarium in Little Rock, Arkansas, where I currently have part of the Woolard-Hinkle-Williams Meteorite Collection on display - to coincide with a program I wrote and produced about meteorites. Robert Woolard is my mentor, friend - and one of the stars of my show. Between getting the collection in and on display, and having been ill - I've missed the news. A couple of visitors have asked about a recent reported fall (crashing into a house?), and I was wondering if you guys fill me in on the who/what/where/when/why of it all. If you would like to respond off-list, my email is: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks for your help! Pamela Shireman, Director EpiSphere Digital Planetarium 3301 East Roosevelt Road Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 501-838-2252 (cell) __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
