Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites
13-years ago tim mccoy of the smithsonian was quoted as saying that the holy grail of martian meteorites was governador valadares. while chassigny is the most exotic among the classics, GV is the indisputably the rarest. metaphoric holy grails necessarily change with the times. On Dec 10, 2007, at 12:17 AM, Michael L Blood wrote: Hi Steve, This question can only be properly answered by addressing It at several levels: In theory, one that PROVES life on Mars does or did exist. Of those known to exist, ALH84001 would, of course, be the Holy Grail of the known Martians. Of those that are (at least theoretically) available, Chassigny is, By far, the rarest, making it the Holy Grail of available Martians. Hope that clears it up, Steve. Best wishes, Michael on 12/9/07 7:42 AM, steve arnold at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi again list.With all the martain meteorites out there,I was wondering.What is the holy grail of all martain meteorites?ZAGAMI?LAFAYETTE?Any of the NWA'S?The DAG'S?DHOFARS?ALH 84001?I thought this might be a good thread to start.While I was at the bank last week,I was organizing my other collection and I was wondering what is the holy grail of martains?I have a 6.3 gram slice of D. A. G. 476 as my only martain.So it brought the above question.Any comments will be excitingly awaited. steve arnold,chicago Steve R.Arnold,chicago,Ill,Usa!! The Asteroid Belt! Chicagometeorites.net Collecting Meteorites since 06/19/1999 Ebay I.D. Illinoismeteorites _ _ __ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites
Hello all, Funny enough, Wolfram von Eschenbach writes in his Parzival that the grail is a stone! Well, we'd say, if one wants to follow the conception of those grail epics, the grail of the Martian meteorites should be either an unobtainable (especially deliberately unaccessible) or a true wonder. For the first case, certainly ALH 84001 is the grail, for the second, and finally for the collector's world not so depressing, as it is accessible, is our personal martian grail, the in all aspects fantastic main mass of NWA 4766: http://www.chladnis-heirs.com/35.782g-shergottite.jpg Due to its shape, like a solifidication from a painting from Picasso, we call it the GUERNICA STONE. Best! Martin Stefan - Original Message - From: Jim Strope [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Meteorite Central meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 1:51 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites Michael... ALH84001 has certainly caused a lot of discussion over the years. Proof that life once existed on Mars, yes or no ? I would like to inform you that NWA 998 is described as containing ankeritic carbonates. One other meteorite has been described in this manner - ALH84001 ALH84001 is not available to private collectors but NWA 998 is: http://www.nwa998.com/ Have a nice day Jim Strope 421 Fourth Street Glen Dale, WV 26038 http://www.catchafallingstar.com Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 14:17:10 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites Hi Steve, This question can only be properly answered by addressing It at several levels: In theory, one that PROVES life on Mars does or did exist. Of those known to exist, ALH84001 would, of course, be the Holy Grail of the known Martians. Of those that are (at least theoretically) available, Chassigny is, By far, the rarest, making it the Holy Grail of available Martians. Hope that clears it up, Steve. Best wishes, Michael on 12/9/07 7:42 AM, steve arnold at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi again list.With all the martain meteorites out there,I was wondering.What is the holy grail of all martain meteorites?ZAGAMI?LAFAYETTE?Any of the NWA'S?The DAG'S?DHOFARS?ALH 84001?I thought this might be a good thread to start.While I was at the bank last week,I was organizing my other collection and I was wondering what is the holy grail of martains?I have a 6.3 gram slice of D. A. G. 476 as my only martain.So it brought the above question.Any comments will be excitingly awaited. __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Rocks from Space Picture of the Day - December 10, 2007
http://www.rocksfromspace.org/December_10_2007.html **Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301) __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites
Wow Stefan!!!, Unbeveivable beautiful piece. I'm sure that's your personal Martian grail by far. Tim Heitz MIDWEST METEORITES - http://www.meteorman.org/ - Original Message - From: Stefan Ralew [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 6:05 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites Hello all, Funny enough, Wolfram von Eschenbach writes in his Parzival that the grail is a stone! Well, we'd say, if one wants to follow the conception of those grail epics, the grail of the Martian meteorites should be either an unobtainable (especially deliberately unaccessible) or a true wonder. For the first case, certainly ALH 84001 is the grail, for the second, and finally for the collector's world not so depressing, as it is accessible, is our personal martian grail, the in all aspects fantastic main mass of NWA 4766: http://www.chladnis-heirs.com/35.782g-shergottite.jpg Due to its shape, like a solifidication from a painting from Picasso, we call it the GUERNICA STONE. Best! Martin Stefan - Original Message - From: Jim Strope [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Meteorite Central meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 1:51 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites Michael... ALH84001 has certainly caused a lot of discussion over the years. Proof that life once existed on Mars, yes or no ? I would like to inform you that NWA 998 is described as containing ankeritic carbonates. One other meteorite has been described in this manner - ALH84001 ALH84001 is not available to private collectors but NWA 998 is: http://www.nwa998.com/ Have a nice day Jim Strope 421 Fourth Street Glen Dale, WV 26038 http://www.catchafallingstar.com Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 14:17:10 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites Hi Steve, This question can only be properly answered by addressing It at several levels: In theory, one that PROVES life on Mars does or did exist. Of those known to exist, ALH84001 would, of course, be the Holy Grail of the known Martians. Of those that are (at least theoretically) available, Chassigny is, By far, the rarest, making it the Holy Grail of available Martians. Hope that clears it up, Steve. Best wishes, Michael on 12/9/07 7:42 AM, steve arnold at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi again list.With all the martain meteorites out there,I was wondering.What is the holy grail of all martain meteorites?ZAGAMI?LAFAYETTE?Any of the NWA'S?The DAG'S?DHOFARS?ALH 84001?I thought this might be a good thread to start.While I was at the bank last week,I was organizing my other collection and I was wondering what is the holy grail of martains?I have a 6.3 gram slice of D. A. G. 476 as my only martain.So it brought the above question.Any comments will be excitingly awaited. __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] the holy grail of lunar meteorites (none apollo)
Well it is nice to see that the mars thread get and is still getting a great response.How about lunar meteorites?To me,NWA 482 is the by far the best I have ever seen or have had the privilage to own.Anyone else??I would always look to own another piece!HINT!HINT! STEVE ARNOLD,CHICAGO Steve R.Arnold,chicago,Ill,Usa!! The Asteroid Belt! Chicagometeorites.net Collecting Meteorites since 06/19/1999 Ebay I.D. Illinoismeteorites Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] a Holy Grail
And dear list, if we carry the idea of a grail a little bit further, we think, that a meteorite, which could be called a grail, should be really unique, perhaps also something so far unknown. Something like a benchmark, a cornerstone... We all know how inflationarily the attribute unique is used in describing or advertizing more or less unusual meteorites, but let us show you this stone, where the indications, that it will turn into a real grail are very strong. http://www.chladnis-heirs.com/nwa4898-main-mass.jpg Currently it is under study, but with all wariness necessary, so far it is a lunar. It is a basalt. And stirring enough: probably it is no mare basalt. No similar meteorite was recovered so far on Earth, it is a find of 2005 and all efforts, whether there maybe additional pieces could be found were without result. Depending on the further studies and results, we think, that it is the hottest candidate to be a true Grail. Perhaps not so important, as NWA 4898 could turn out to be, but certainly very remarkable in several aspects, - and here we're able to share already more detailled information on the emerald grail too, Aziz Habibi just posted, is our NWA 4905: http://www.chladnis-heirs.com/nwa4905-main-mass.jpg It is an eucrite, full of sparkling grains of a mineral, which usually would let you throw a stone away as a terrestial: quartz ! Hence a so completely unusual material, that it's certainly worth to be venerated by the HED-lovers as a grail. Thrilling will be, after the analyses will have been ready, what for implications the occurence of so much quartz in this eucrite could cause regarding the discussion about the parent body (bodies?). Finally a funny tiny graily, more for the down-to-earth collectors. Look at that chondrite: http://www.chladnis-heirs.com/met1.jpg It has such huge and angular iron blobs, that it almost cause the impression, that by weathering the stone is giving birth to little individuals of iron meteorites. Best wishes from the Hunters of the Grails Stefan Martin __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Saw Blades - need help
Hi Christan and all, The CBN meteorite blades (for iron meteorites) worked well in the beginning but I have tried them off and on over the last few years and they wear out super quick. My set-up for cutting has remained the same, same saw and process but I used to get quite a few slices before wearing out the blade. I have literally worn out a blade in a minute or two due to the bad bonding of cutting material on the saw. I have even felt the blade and parts are still sharp where other sections (usually large) are smooth and worn or fallen off. If you buy some of those types just order a couple so you don't waste your money. Not good for stony material as it leaves far too much kerfing. A thin diamond saw is best. Good luck and hope you find a reliable source for your cutting. All my best! --AL Mitterling Christian Anger wrote: Hi all, I need some saw blades 8 x 0.020 x 5/8 and 8 x 0.012 x 5/8 Does anybody know sources in U.S.A where I could get some ? Thanks in advance for your help, Christian __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Saw Blades - need help
Hi Christan and all, Sorry if this appears twice. The CBN meteorite blades (for iron meteorites) worked well in the beginning but I have tried them off and on over the last few years and they wear out super quick. My set-up for cutting has remained the same, same saw and process but I used to get quite a few slices before wearing out the blade. I have literally worn out a blade in a minute or two due to the bad bonding of cutting material on the saw. I have even felt the blade and parts are still sharp where other sections (usually large) are smooth and worn or fallen off. If you buy some of those types just order a couple so you don't waste your money. Not good for stony material as it leaves far too much kerfing. A thin diamond saw is best. Good luck and hope you find a reliable source for your cutting. All my best! --AL Mitterling Christian Anger wrote: Hi all, I need some saw blades 8 x 0.020 x 5/8 and 8 x 0.012 x 5/8 Does anybody know sources in U.S.A where I could get some ? Thanks in advance for your help, Christian __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Ad - eBay auctions closing shortly
Greetings I have a some auctions closing in a few hours including a 247 gram muonionalusta egg that is currently at only 13 cents per gram, a 153 gram beautiful 99% crusted juancheng that is only at 50 cents per gram, NWA 482 lunar at less than $500 per gram, a gorgeous eucrite with shock veins still at a penny. See them all and others at http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPageuserid=katy2kary -- Eric Olson 7682 Firethorn Dr Fayetteville, NC 28311 http://www.star-bits.com __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites
Hi Steve, Grail Purveyors, Listees, The grail requires a romantic quest for something plausible yet not provable nor obtainable. It must be legendary and miraculous and an object of only the most religious passion, controversy, as well as a dark side of greed; be erroneously linked with an excruciating pain at the hands of Romans. The 'holy' grail is only reputed to have existed as such, and is not very holy at all, since the corresponding religion does not even recognize its divine powers. The Holy See would probably say the Crown Jewel of the Vatican's collection is the 153g fusion-crusted NAKHLA fragment. The meteorite, like the grail, is of minor significance. Proving what it contains is the crux of the matter. We're talking meteoritical chalice, if He measured porosity (the trueist measure of holeyness in meteorites) found partially incinerated blood of a dog diffusing into the pycnometer chamber. An official collection label and peer-reviewed publication could help sanctify it. But once attained this would fall short of being the Holy Grail. Only he who is valiant and of pure spirit may find the grail in the Castle Aauugghh!!! (and the Castle isn't a registered eBay user) Doug PS, So sacrilegious it had to be a dog :-( Revenge for centuries of condemnation of pagan meteorite veneration? - Original Message - From: steve arnold [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2007 9:42 AM Subject: [meteorite-list] holy grail of martian meteorites Hi again list.With all the martain meteorites out there,I was wondering.What is the holy grail of all martain meteorites?ZAGAMI?LAFAYETTE?Any of the NWA'S?The DAG'S?DHOFARS?ALH 84001?I thought this might be a good thread to start.While I was at the bank last week,I was organizing my other collection and I was wondering what is the holy grail of martains?I have a 6.3 gram slice of D. A. G. 476 as my only martain.So it brought the above question.Any comments will be excitingly awaited. steve arnold,chicago Steve R.Arnold,chicago,Ill,Usa!! The Asteroid Belt! Chicagometeorites.net Collecting Meteorites since 06/19/1999 Ebay I.D. Illinoismeteorites Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] AD- 20kg Campo 40/kg
Doing some housecleaning 20.5 kg Campo Nuevo great for cutting. Decent shape. 800 USD plus shipping. Pics... http://www.mhmeteorites.com/images/campo_20kg1.jpg http://www.mhmeteorites.com/images/campo_20kg2.jpg Matt Morgan Mile High Meteorites -- Matt Morgan Mile High Meteorites http://www.mhmeteorites.com P.O. Box 151293 Lakewood, CO 80215 USA __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] For you not-coin collectors
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/12/emw575301.htm __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Philippe Thomas' NWA 4460 Thin Section (1 left on EBAY)
Hello List, Chondrule and Thin Section Afficionados, Last Thursday I wrote: Can you see this hungry little porphyritic 'sibling' bug that's eating itself into its large POP neighbor in thin section #16 of NWA 4460? http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=360002687517ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:DE:31 I also wrote that I would soon own three NWA 4460 (L3.9) thin sections. The two TS I purchased last week arrived today and what I beheld when I had my first curious peek through my stereo microscope, surely blew my socks off. There are presently 131 thin sections in my collection and some have lots of gorgeous chondrules but these NWA 4460 thin sections will surely belong to my favorite ones for a long time to come! This POP chondrule in #16 measures a whopping 5.5 mm - one of the largest I have ever seen in an ordinary chondrite - and there are even two of these sibling chondrules attacking their larger brother: one in the lower right quadrant, the other in the upper left part Philippe's picture). NWA 4460 is unusually rich in such porphyritic chondrules but there are also beautiful textbook examples of radiating pyroxene chondrules which nicely demonstrate undulose extinction when you rotate your thin section! Philippe, thank you so much, merci beaucoup, for these beautiful thin sections! Best pre-Xmas Wishes, Bernd To: Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Tucson show dates
I apologize for asking. I assume this was covered on the list before , but I missed it. Which weekend is the Party and Michael Bloods auction ? Thanks, Bob __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Who was donating the Campos?
Hi all - Who was donating the Campo de Cielo pieces? While the readings of the Mayan hieroglyphic are still weak, it appears that Campo struck 17 February, 2325 at Matawil, in other words the same area as the Rio Cuarto impacts. This date accords with the radiocarbon dates for Campo, if I remember. I could use a small piece for educational purposes. PS - My vote for martian grail has to go with strope's NWA. It will be interesting to see what the scientists find in it. E.P. Grondine Man and Impact in the Americas Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] FW: MAIN MASS MONDAY! Over 25 Main Masses For sale at Holiday Prices. Some Reduced as Much as 50%!
From: michael cottingham [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 4:47 PM To: 'michael cottingham' Subject: AD: MAIN MASS MONDAY! Over 25 Main Masses For sale at Holiday Prices. Some Reduced as Much as 50%! Hello Everyone. This begins the week, where my largest overall sale will take place. TODAY is MAIN MASS MONDAY. There are over 25 Main Masses listed, with some listed at 50% off my regular store price. ALL week I will be listing and there will be some great surprises. Reduced Auctions (With lowest prices of the year on most auctions), 0.99 cent Auctions, and ebay store set price sales! Check back when you can, all week long! Go to: http://stores.ebay.com/Voyage-Botanica-Natural-History MAIN MASS AUCTIONS! http://search.stores.ebay.com/VOYAGE-BOTANICA-NATURAL-HISTORY_main-mass_W0QQ fciZ10QQfclZ4QQfsnZVOYAGEQ20BOTANICAQ20NATURALQ20HISTORYQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsa selZ1015304QQsofpZ1 Thanks and Best Wishes Michael Cottingham __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] FW: MAIN MASS MONDAY! Over 25 Main Masses For sale at Holiday Prices. Some Reduced as Much as 50%!
From: michael cottingham [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 4:47 PM To: 'michael cottingham' Subject: AD: MAIN MASS MONDAY! Over 25 Main Masses For sale at Holiday Prices. Some Reduced as Much as 50%! Hello Everyone. This begins the week, where my largest overall sale will take place. TODAY is MAIN MASS MONDAY. There are over 25 Main Masses listed, with some listed at 50% off my regular store price. ALL week I will be listing and there will be some great surprises. Reduced Auctions (With lowest prices of the year on most auctions), 0.99 cent Auctions, and ebay store set price sales! Check back when you can, all week long! Go to: http://stores.ebay.com/Voyage-Botanica-Natural-History MAIN MASS AUCTIONS! http://search.stores.ebay.com/VOYAGE-BOTANICA-NATURAL-HISTORY_main-mass_W0QQ fciZ10QQfclZ4QQfsnZVOYAGEQ20BOTANICAQ20NATURALQ20HISTORYQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsa selZ1015304QQsofpZ1 Thanks and Best Wishes Michael Cottingham __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] New Arizona meteorite and very unusaul Graphite AD/ Sac Wash 002
Hi all I have cut the main mass of Sacramento wash 002 There are only 9 slices 1 end cut 1 end cut fragment and 3 tiny chips that are for sale the rest is im my collection and in the collection of ASU. Here is a link to the items. http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r249/meteoritefinder/?action=sharepic=sacwash12.jpg The price is $5 per gram, first come first served. I also have a highly shocked graphite that I just cut much of it is spoken for, but I have 3 pieces left 2 slices and one end cut. The price for this material is $ 2.50 per gram and is very solid and very unusual as you can see from the pictures. http://s146.photobucket.com/albums/r249/meteoritefinder/?action=viewcurrent=graph3.jpg Thanks -- Mike Miller 230 Greenway Dr. Kingman Az 86401 www.meteoritefinder.com 928-753-6825 __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Mars Exploration Rover Update - December 10, 2007
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html#opportunity OPPORTUNITY UPDATE: Opportunity Grinds into Rock in Victoria Crater - sol 1368-1374, Dec 10, 2007: Opportunity spent part of the past week carefully grinding a hole into the surface of a light-colored ring of rock inside Victoria Crater known as Smith, despite the previous loss of encoders that enabled two of the motors of the rock abrasion tool to operate under control of the tool's flight software. The endeavor was successful, with the rover grinding to a depth of about 1 millimeter - about the thickness of a dime - deep enough to allow measurement of the rock chemistry beneath the surface. The rover is healthy and all systems are normal. Rover engineers devised and tested a novel approach for operating the rock abrasion tool that enabled it to locate the surface independent of the encoders on the grind and revolve motors. Opportunity implemented a Grind Scan procedure to find the surface on sol 1368 (Nov. 29, 2007). Two days later, on sol 1370 (Dec. 1, 2007), Opportunity ground into the surface. Though the science team originally planned to have the tool grind 2 millimeters into the surface, the contact switches that engaged when the tool was placed on the rock released, likely due to vibration under a light pre-load of the RAT against the target. This release caused the grinding to halt at half the planned depth. Images sent to Earth showed that even though the hole was somewhat unusual in appearance as the result of a bent wire brush, it was suitable for analysis using the alpha-particle X-ray spectrometer. Images of the sky taken on sol 1373 (Dec. 4, 2007) showed that some of the dust had cleared from the lens of Opportunity's microscopic imager. Working with NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Opportunity completed the second of two communications tests verifying the relay capability of the orbiter in preparation for the Phoenix mission, now en route to Mars. The second round of testing involved the use of the Electra telecommunications package on the orbiter to measure the distance and speed of incoming spacecraft relative to Mars based on UHF radio signals and to measure the location of a landed spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Opportunity provided useful data for both measurements - using the relative window mode and the fixed window mode. Opportunity continued to generate abundant solar power levels of 638 watt-hours, enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for more than 6 hours, measured on Martian day, or sol, 1373 (Dec. 4, 2007). Scientists planned to have the rover finish up work on Smith and then descend to the last of three light-colored rings of rock. This final ring is known as Lyell. Sol-by-sol summary: In addition to morning uplinks directly from Earth via the rover's high-gain antenna, evening downlinks to Earth via the Odyssey orbiter at UHF frequencies, and standard measurements of atmospheric opacity caused by dust using the panoramic and navigation cameras, Opportunity completed the following activities: Sol 1368 (Nov. 29, 2007): Opportunity completed the Grind Scan procedure to find the rock surface to be ground, tested UHF communications with the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and acquired panoramic camera images, including part 5 of a panorama of a light-toned exposure of rock known as Pettijohn. Upon awakening the next morning, Opportunity scanned the sky for clouds using the navigation camera. Sol 1369: Opportunity took extensive measurements of atmospheric dust and searched for clouds using the navigation camera. Sol 1370: Opportunity ground into the surface of the rock target known as Smith2, acquired images of the sky with the microscopic imager to monitor dust on the instrument lens, and measured argon gas in the Martian atmosphere with the alpha-particle X-ray spectrometer. The next morning, the rover scanned the sky for clouds using the navigation camera. Sol 1371: Opportunity acquired full-color images, using all 13 filters of the panoramic camera, of Smith2. The rover acquired additional images with the panoramic camera, including part 6 of the Pettijohn panorama. Sol 1372: Opportunity surveyed the sky at high sun with the panoramic camera, took extensive measurements of atmospheric dust, scanned the sky for clouds with the navigation camera, and took spot images of the sky to calibrate the panoramic camera. Sol 1373: Opportunity acquired stereo, microscopic images of Smith2, surveyed the rock abrasion tool and the grinding bit with the panoramic camera, and took more full-color images, using all 13 filters of the panoramic camera, of Smith2. Opportunity took images of the sky with the microscopic imager to characterize dust on the lens and scanned the sky for clouds with the navigation camera. Sol 1374 (Dec. 5, 2007): In addition to measuring atmospheric dust, Opportunity scanned the sky for clouds using the navigation camera, surveyed the sky with the panoramic camera, and took thumbnail
[meteorite-list] International Group Plans Strategy for Mars Sample Return Mission
Dec. 10, 2007 Dwayne Brown Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1726 [EMAIL PROTECTED] RELEASE: 07-269 INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLANS STRATEGY FOR MARS SAMPLE RETURN MISSION WASHINGTON - NASA and an international team are developing plans and seeking recommendations to launch the first Mars mission to bring soil samples back to Earth. The ability to study soil from Mars here on Earth will contribute significantly to answering questions about the possibility of life on the Red Planet. Returned samples also will increase understanding of the useful or harmful properties of Martian soil, which will support planning for the eventual human exploration of Mars. A task force named the International Mars Architecture for Return of Samples, or IMARS, recently met in Washington to lay the foundation for an international collaboration to return samples from Mars. NASA hosted the meeting. IMARS meeting participants included representatives from more than half a dozen countries and NASA, the European Space Agency, or ESA, the Canadian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. IMARS is a committee of the International Mars Exploration Working Group, or IMEWG. The group was formed in 1993 to provide a forum for the international coordination of Mars exploration missions. The potential paradigm-changing science from Mars samples makes this mission a high priority of the National Academy of Sciences, said Doug McCuistion, NASA's Mars Exploration program director, Science Mission Directorate, Washington. The exciting progress being made by the IMARS team is contributing directly to making this mission a reality in the next decade, All spacefaring nations have a standing invitation from IMEWG to participate in IMARS. Scientists reviewed past engineering work on a Mars sample return mission, international science priorities, and sample receiving facility requirements. The IMARS team made significant progress in many of the key issues associated with the integration of science and engineering challenges. The team established a common strategy for launching a Mars sample return mission and achieving scientific objectives that can be met only by returning Martian soil to Earth. For Europe this is a major step to shape the future of the ESA Aurora Exploration Programme in 2008, said Bruno Gardini, ESA's Exploration Program Manager. The Aurora Programme is part of Europe's strategy for space, initiated by ESA in 2001 to create and implement a long-term European plan for robotic and human exploration of the solar system. The next steps in preparing for a Mars sample return mission includes more detailed international trade studies on engineering and mission specifics, greater detail on science and sample requirements, and definition and requirements for Earth-based facilities. IMARS will address the technical issues in upcoming meetings, along with preliminary discussions of the possible roles of interested nations and agencies. For more information about NASA's Mars Program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mars -end- __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Mars Rover Investigates Signs of Steamy Martian Past
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2007-144 Mars Rover Investigates Signs of Steamy Martian Past December 10, 2007 SAN FRANCISCO - Researchers using NASA's twin Mars rovers are sorting out two possible origins for one of Spirit's most important discoveries, while also getting Spirit to a favorable spot for surviving the next Martian winter. The puzzle is what produced a patch of nearly pure silica -- the main ingredient of window glass -- that Spirit found last May. It could have come from either a hot-spring environment or an environment called a fumarole, in which acidic steam rises through cracks. On Earth, both of these types of settings teem with microbial life. Whichever of those conditions produced it, this concentration of silica is probably the most significant discovery by Spirit for revealing a habitable niche that existed on Mars in the past, said Steve Squyres of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., principal investigator for the rovers' science payload. The evidence is pointing most strongly toward fumarolic conditions, like you might see in Hawaii and in Iceland. Compared with deposits formed at hot springs, we know less about how well fumarolic deposits can preserve microbial fossils. That's something needing more study here on Earth. Halfway around Mars from Spirit, Opportunity continues adding information about types of wet environments on ancient Mars other than hot springs or fumaroles. It is examining layers exposed inside a crater, but still near the top of a stack of sulfate-rich layers hundreds of meters (yards) thick. Scientists read a history of conditions that evolved from wetter to drier, based on findings by Opportunity and observations of the region by Mars orbiters. The solar-powered rovers have been active on Mars since January 2004, more than 15 times longer than originally planned. Their third Martian winter will not reach minimum sunshine until June, but Spirit already needs two days of power output to drive for an hour. Spirit is going into the winter with much more dust on its solar panels than in previous years, said John Callas of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., project manager for the rovers. The last Martian winter, we didn't move Spirit for about seven months. This time, the rover is likely to be stationary longer and with significantly lower available energy each Martian day. Dust storms that darkened Martian skies this past June dropped dust onto both rovers. However, gusts cleaned Opportunity's panels, and Opportunity is closer to the equator than Spirit is, so concerns for winter survival focus on Spirit. The team has selected a sun-facing slope of about 25 degrees on the northern edge of a low plateau, Home Plate, as a safe winter haven for Spirit. Both rovers resumed productive field work after the June dust storms. Spirit explored the top of Home Plate, in the vicinity of silica-rich soil it discovered before the dust storms hit. This stuff is more than 90 percent silica, Squyres said. There aren't many ways to explain a concentration so high. One way is to selectively remove silica from the native volcanic rocks and concentrate it in the deposits Spirit found. Hot springs can do that, dissolving silica at high heat and then dropping it out of solution as the water cools. Another way is to selectively remove almost everything else and leave the silica behind. Acidic steam at fumaroles can do that. Scientists are still assessing both possible origins. One reason Squyres favors the fumarole story is that the silica-rich soil on Mars has an enhanced level of titanium. On Earth, titanium levels are relatively high in some fumarolic deposits. Mineral mapping and high-resolution imagery from Mars orbiters are helping scientists put the findings of Spirit and Opportunity into broader geological context. Opportunity's exploration of the Meridiani region has taken advantage of the natural excavations at impact craters to inspect layers extending several meters below the surface of the regional plain. These sulfate-rich layers bear extensive evidence for a wet, acidic past environment. They are a small upper fraction of the sulfate-rich layering exposed elsewhere in Meridiani and examined from orbit. We see evidence from orbit for clay minerals under the layered sulfate materials, said Ray Arvidson of Washington University in St. Louis, deputy principal investigator for the rovers' science payload. They indicate less acidic conditions. The big picture appears to be a change from a more open hydrological system, with rainfall, to more arid conditions with groundwater rising to the surface and evaporating, leaving sulfate salts behind. JPL, a division of California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, manages the rovers for NASA's Science Mission Directorate. For images and information about the rovers, visit: www.nasa.gov/rovers and http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov .
[meteorite-list] what a beautiful allende
Good evening list.I just get so giddy when I have a beaut of a meteorite to show off.I just got a 77 gram full slice of ALLENDE from matteo.Thanks so much.I have never had any small or large amounts of this,but this slice is just a beaut.You can see on my homepage.This is a beautiful meteorite. Steve R.Arnold,chicago,Ill,Usa!! The Asteroid Belt! Chicagometeorites.net Collecting Meteorites since 06/19/1999 Ebay I.D. Illinoismeteorites Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] large claxton, ga for sale
i have 7g+ of claxton, ga for sale for $750/g obo. there are pieces as small approx. 1/2g all the way up to a 3.8 crust fragment. there is a beautiful 2.1g slice w/ crust and it has a very large surface area also. need $ , email for pix. take one or all will work with prices on purchase of all. would rather not break up the big pieces into smaller fragements for ebay sales- would like to see them trade whole. excellent provenance from hupe, fernlea, jerry armstrong. Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] December Meteorite-Times and Important Webmaster FYI
Dear List, My first email from this morning has not come through most likely because I used the word (h)acker in the subject line so it's held up until Art manually approves. Please disregard the second post when it does arrive or Art please delete. Thank you, Paul Dear List, The December Meteorite-Times is up now and is a little short this month as so many people have way too much to do in December. We put up the list of previous articles for Bob, Tom and Ruben so you can review their past articles this month. We are looking for people to be the Meteorite Person of the Month and everyone is welcome. All that is required is a love of meteorites. http://www.meteorite-times.com/ Sorry for the delay in posting Meteorite-Times but one of our sites got hacked and I needed to take care of things. If your site has php scripts on it please check your daily visitor patterns. If you see a dramatic increase (We went from 1000 normal daily visits to 3000 visits overnight) in visits please check your logs for people trying to access webpages that you do NOT have on your site. If you see this then check all directories for htaccess and php files that do not belong. Also check your permissions for improper write and execute values. If have the dramatic increase in visitors and don't know about htaccess php and permissions please check with your host. Best I can figure so far... It works like this. Links having your website address but non existent webpages are posted all around the internet. When a person clicks on the link they go to your site but their browser doesn't find the webpage it's looking for and then the hackers htaccess file works with the php script to redirect the browser somewhere else where the page then tries to download a trojan virus onto the person's computer. The hacker doesn't tamper with any of your files or webpages so you have no clue. Luckily I check my reports and logs on a daily basis. If you want more information please contact me privately so we don't clutter the list. If there is enough interest I will post a single email about it. I'm late and won't be able to reply to anyone until tomorrow. I would definitely like to hear from all list members who have website security expertise to share notes. Thank you, Paul __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Win A Meteorite Contest 2.0: Winner Announcement!
Hi all, We have a winner of the Win a Meteorite Contest 2.0 With a winning guess of 14grams Larry Atkins wins it! Congratulations Larry! Good guessing! More than 200 guesses were posted and many were Oh so close but only Larry won this contest. Giving away meteorites is fun! I've given away 3 meteorites within 48hrs, will you be the next winner? Maybe I should cut back a bit on the giveaways. What do you guys think? ;) I think the next contest is gonna have to be more challenging. You guys are just too good at guessing the weight of meteorites. Maybe I'll do something like Guess The Exact Weight! and put up a batch of multiple meteorites. Only this time you guys have to guess the exact weight to the 10th gram. Hmmm... That sounds like fun! ;) I want to thank everyone for participating in the contest, and for all the awesome email thanking me for the contest. I'll announce the winners on my site MeteoriteWatch.com soon, look for it. This is great fun and gets loads of people involved. Look for another contest soon featuring a Gold Basin meteorite! Everyone needs on of these great chondrites in their collection. Thanks Everyone! :) Eric Regards, Eric Wichman MeteoriteWatch.com www.meteoritewatch.com www.meteoritesusa.com www.detectormax.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] what a beautiful allende
all my ex collection pieces is nice pieces Matteo - Original Message - Da : steve arnold [EMAIL PROTECTED] A : meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Oggetto : [meteorite-list] what a beautiful allende Data : Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:15:38 -0800 (PST) Good evening list.I just get so giddy when I have a beaut of a meteorite to show off.I just got a 77 gram full slice of ALLENDE from matteo.Thanks so much.I have never had any small or large amounts of this,but this slice is just a beaut.You can see on my homepage.This is a beautiful meteorite. __ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
