Rarer than diamonds, and scientifically
more important.
I don't believe that we have fully explored the origins, manufacture and
scientific value of diamonds as of today [apples and oranges anyhow] and
"Rarer" in the sense of human possession.
Jerry Flaherty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Matson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Eric Wichman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>;
<[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:39 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] 10 Reasons Why Everyone Should Own A
Meteorite!
Hi Eric and List,
Some feedback on your top-10 list of reasons to own a meteorite:
3. Meteorites Are Aliens! - They aren't from here, they're from millions
of miles away and have been floating around out in space for thousands
of years just waiting to land on our planet, and end up in your hands.
You can safely substitute "millions" for "thousands" of years -- 99% of
meteorites have spent more than a million years as "free flyers" before
encountering the earth.
Similarly:
7. Meteorites Are Sometimes Millions Of Years Old! - Some meteorites have
been around since long before our planet was inhabited by humans.
You can safely say ALL meteorites fit this description.
9. We Can Learn About Our Planets Origin From Meteorites. - Life as we
know it
would not be possible if it weren't for meteorites.
Partly true -- ~different~ life would occupy this planet if it weren't for
the
occasional major impact.
Did you know that very large asteroids actually have gravity?
Of course, all asteroids have gravity -- indeed, all matter does. But I
get
what
your saying -- some would have "noticeable" gravity if you were standing
on
their surface.
Even more bizarre and fantastic some even have moons, likes the asteroid
Ida, it has a moon named Dactyl.
I think we will eventually find that a significant fraction of asteroids
(10% or
more?) have their own satellites. And while people tend to imagine
asteroids
as being monolithic bodies (i.e. solid), I think it's quite likely that
most
in the 100-meter to 10-km size range will ultimately prove to be "rubble
piles":
loose conglomerations of highly fractured regolith.
No matter their origin, it's hard to argue that meteorites aren't a
very worthwhile collectable. Rarer than diamonds, and scientifically
more important.
Best wishes,
Rob
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