Bob,
Fresh carbonaceous types are reputed to
have a smell from their many organic compounds.
Murchison is said to have smelled like "methylated
spirits, bitumen or kerosene." And Bob Haag was shown
one a local resident kept in a mason jar that smelled of
Bubble Gum!
Sterling
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Bob King" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 11:34 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Meteorites smell good ...mmm
Hello all,
A lot of us like to bring meteorites to classes we occasionally visit with
or teach. I had this opportunity earlier this week and just for fun
brought
a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper and a slice of NWA 869 for the kids to do
a scratch and sniff. I asked them to grind away a little bit on the
sandpaper and then take a whiff of meteorite. Most of them compared
the odor to sulfur or matches. One 6th grader was pretty excited: "It
smells like matches. I like the smell of matches." I explained that
sometimes freshly fallen meteorites have a sulfurous smell.
Though I wasn't positively certain, I'm assuming the odor is from the
sulfur in troilite?
Anyway, it was fun to do some "hands on" with the asteroid bits.
Happy sniffing!
Bob
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