John and All, If this story wasn't bizarre enough already, below is a letter sent to me by the seller. The test results: http://emc.biol.sc.edu/client/philb/ Dr. Gardner told me they weren't really into meteorites... Whether the specimen is actually a meteorite, I'll let you come to your own conclusion..... The seller is NOW going to GIVE the specimen to the highest bidder for FREE? This is one of the oddest specimen/owner combinations I have experienced.(I don't know which is more unusual?:>) Best, Ken
--- Begin Message --->From: magellon <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: Phil Bradley HBD/Thermoid/Elgin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: Fwd: chunk of the big-bang pearl >Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 15:11:32 -0400 > >Phil, >I spoke with Dr. Gardner today, he had never heard of you or of a >meteorite recently falling in the Columbia Area. >Did you speak with someone else? >Ken > > > >Phil Bradley HBD/Thermoid/Elgin wrote: > > > > Pictures attached. > > > > It is my meteorite. > > > > My father (79 years old) and I were in his fields laying out a > > sprinkler system shortly after dusk and had our backs to a field where > > he puts compost, leaves, etc to turn into fertilizer for his large > > garden. > > > > We heard a "thump" and saw a flash behind us, but wrote it off as > > lightening as we live in the Southeastern U.S. where afternoon > > thunderstorms are commonplace. > > > > I found it later as I was walking around this past weekend looking for > > places to lay sprinkler heads. > > > > As far as I know a Dr. Gardner at U.S.C. in the Geology Dept. will > > analyze it. I'll keep you posted if you're still interested. > > > > I'd rather not reveal my reserve price, however. > > > > Phil > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* > > > > Name: Mvc-037f.jpg > > Mvc-037f.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg) > > Encoding: base64 > > > > Name: Mvc-033f.jpg > > Mvc-033f.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg) > > Encoding: base64 > > > > Name: Mvc-036f.jpg > > Mvc-036f.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg) > > Encoding: base64 > > > > Name: Mvc-030f.jpg > > Mvc-030f.jpg Type: JPEG Image (image/jpeg) > > Encoding: base64 >Dr. Gardner referred me to Dr. Podlonski (sp?) who did an electron microscopy of the specimen.
The results are at the link at the subject heading of this email.
Initially, he was moderately certain that it was a meteorite due to many things including slight nickel content and "flow lines" which were/are very smooth.
He thought enough of it to spend the time and money to analyze it anyway.
FWIW, I'm not intending on accepting any money from anyone who bid or the winner.
It sure was cool seeing the flash in the sky by me and my Dad though in tiny ole Lugoff, SC.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Phil
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