Hi Jerry-
I also operated our dust collector as a school experiment (K-8). The
kids were involved in designing the collector, and responsible for
taking the data. I did teach that most or all of the material we could
see was almost certainly terrestrial, but that didn't dampen the sense
of adventure every time the samples went under the microscope. And there
were those few spherical particles that we couldn't be certain of...
Chris
*****************************************
Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Flaherty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Chris Peterson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Meteorite List"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2007 6:14 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Magnetite/Glass Meteorite Balls
Scientificly and statistically accurate in every detail I'm sure. But
when I brought this debris to class the next day the kids were extatic
that such possibilities exist. That matter extraneous to our own earth
might be within their reach. I purposely failed to tell them, though
that the whole of the planet was made of such extraneous material
cause I didn't want to dampen that wonderful enthusiasm.
Because I sensed that such entusiasm leads to dreams and visions that
lead humankind toward distant horizons yet to be thought of much less
seen.
I realize that this list is made up of a wide range of interests,
backgrounds and abilities.
I present this anecdotal example as a personal experience. Holding
and sharing those specks gave most everyone a mind opening delight,
including myself. Today due to List membership I've been able to
acquire, to me, a treasure beyond price. But, but, but I still reflect
on that experience as a trifle more enduring than all the rest.
Oh, and afterall, the suggestion to "experiment"[the use is figurative
of course] came from no less an authority than Jack Horkiemer "Keep
Looking Up", the great populizer of Astronomy.
We sometimes wonder why funds for the further major expoloration of
SPACE have a habit of drying up. Why the "average" citizen could give
a &*^% about Mars or whatever.
I understand that scientific research requires sustained focus,
deliberation, precision and repeatable experimentation. That
conclusions based on limited experience are dubious.
Seems I remember somewhere hearing that at one time the notion that
anything could fall out of the sky was preposterous.
So I do like to keep an open mind to possibilities outside and inside
too of my experience.
Science and technology are mind blowing in their contribution to our
lives today.
But you got to have that average nondedicated person cough up the
dough though if we'll ever see that persuit of a goal that flourished
during Apollo period.
Jerry Flaherty
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