[meteorite-list] Meteorite Picture of the Day
Today's Meteorite Picture of the Day: Mount Dyrring Contributed by: Paul Swartz http://www.tucsonmeteorites.com/mpodmain.asp __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they?
MikeG wrote: I did some extensive browsing through the List archives while trying to figure out exactly who/where the so-called Kem Kem meteorites originate from. The answer may be that Kem Kem is the name of a region where NWA meteorites have been found. MikeG also wrote: Some say that Kem Kem is a synonym for at least two different NWAxxx meteorites, including an L-chondrite and a R-chondrite. I found Kem Kem even four times in my database: NWA 0032 (LUN-B) was found west of the Kem Kem plateau (MetBull. 84, 2000, Aug). NWA 0753 (R3.9) was probably found in the Kem Kem region (MetBull. 85, 2001, Sep). NWA 0755 (R3.7) was probably found in the Kem Kem region (MetBull. 85, 2001, Sep). NWA 2096 (L3) Possible origin Kem Kem (Met.Bull. 88, A248). Moreover there is a eucrite (NWA 4051) from the Kem Kem Basin, Algeria. Well, now back to MikeG's problem. Michael Casper might have some pertinent background info because he was the first to offer Kem Kem in his sales catalog (13 December 1999) on page 14: KEM KEM. Found August, 1999. Stone. Classification pending. Kem Kem, Dahara, Morocco. The smallest fragment he offered weighed 22.4 gr and the largest 153.6 gr but he added that he had more available. Best wishes from Germany where we are having Father's Day, Bernd __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Fw: Re: Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they?
Zelimir's post didn't make it to the List ... so, here it is: Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they? (29-Mai-2014 12:36) From:Zelimir Gabelica zelimir.gabel...@uha.fr To: bernd.pa...@paulinet.de Dear Bernd, Hope you and Pauline are doing well! Thanks for this info. About 2 hours ago, I also sent Mike an answer (in plain text format), with copy to the MetCantralList. Mike probably received the message (though he still can be sleeping) but I did not receive my copy as member of MetCentralList. I don't know the reason but believe if your message could be sent perhaps you could help me by sending mine as well. Here it is: --- Hi Mike, As you might know, Kem Kem is a wide area in South Morocco, near the Algerian border, especially explored for various fossils. Many well known markets where NWA meteorites are currently traded (Erfoud, Er Rachidia, Zagora, Taouz, Ouzina, Foum Zguid...) are located in (close to) this area that does not seem officially defined by administrative borders (though I may be wrong for this). Here are a few links (among many others) situating the area and giving an idea of the vast desert land where obviously many meteorites are likely to exist or have been found. http://img.webme.com/pic/s/spinosauridae/kem_kem.jpg http://www.easy-raider.com/images/cartekk12.jpg http://www.easy-raider.com/moto_maroc_kemkem_ang.htm Regarding NWA meteorites, I can just mention 2 of the NWAs from my collection that were nick-named Kem Kem: NWA 052 and NWA 753. Both are described in MetBull database and said being found in the Kem Kem region Here is the short collection writeup I have added for each -- 1) NWA 052 (“Kem Kem”) (Morocco, L5 )(S3 W0/1 ), found 1998, tkw: 1@1088 g Cut individual, 80% crust, 942.5 g. History and scientific significance . Found in Central-South Morocco by Michel Franco who sold it under the pseudo “Kem Kem”. Acquired from Michel Franco in 1999 --- 2) NWA 753 (“Kem Kem” ) (“Sahara”, R3.9 )(S2 W2 ), found 2001, tkw: Many@12.18+ kg. Full slice, 93% crust around, 31.89 g. History and scientific significance . Another “Kem Kem pseudo (see NWA 052 ), suggesting that the country could also be Morocco. Purchased in Rissani. Acquired from Ali Hmani in 2002. I then purchased another small full slice (3.73 g) of the same in 2006 from Stefan Ralew. It is possible that these two probably correspond to the L-chondrite and R-chondrite you are mentioning. Although my NWA 052 sample seems to be the main mass (by far), it is also possible that the other missing fragments were sold around or also that more such fragments (individuals...) were found later in the same area, or also that your l-chondrite is another meteorite from the vast Kem Kem area. Considering the large tkw of the R3.9 and its rare type, it is quite likely that your R-chondrite is NWA 753. See the many pics shown in the database. Hope this can help. I guess many collectors might help you further by providing more data or anecdotes regarding meteorites found in Kem Kem region or having received received this nickname by the finders in early times when very few NWAs were officially documented. Cheers, Zelimir --- What I forgot to mention is that these 2 Kem Kems I purchased were offered with that (provisional) name, thus before they were classified later as NWAs. Thanks very much for this help. My ever best wishes, Zelimir __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they?
More meteorites from the *Kem Kem* region detected in my database: NWA 001 - NWA 032 - NWA 050 - NWA 051 - NWA 052 NWA 752 - NWA 753 - NWA 755 - NWA 1198 - NWA 2096 NWA 4051 Cheers, Bernd __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Fw: Re: Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they? (Secret find coordinates)
Hi Bernd, Zelimir, Eric, and List, Wow, thank you to everyone who replied. I now have a better understanding of Kem Kem. I was also contacted off-list by a few people who filled in some of the blanks, so to speak. Apparently there were several numbered Kem Kem finds ranging from the original unnumbered Kem Kem upwards to Kem Kem 20-something. So, there are at least 20+ Kem Kem named meteorites floating around on the collector market. While some of the Sahara-xx finds are officially classified (and some are not), it appears that none of the Kem Kem finds have been classified under the Kem Kem name, although at least two appear to be officially-recognized synonyms of classified finds (NWA 052 and NWA 753). My specimen of Kem Kem does not appear to be an R-chondrite. Of course, I am going by visual analysis only, but the appearance does not strike me as an R-type. I do think the Kem Kem meteorites have some historical interest for collectors. Their role in bringing about the NWA dense collection area naming system is interesting. Does anyone know if Michael Casper or Michel Franco read this List? It would be nice if one of them would chime in and share their knowledge on this subject. I am assuming the reason the find coordinates of these meteorites were withheld is because of profit - to prevent other finder/dealer teams from recovering specimens that would be valuable on the market (at the time). Now, many years later, these Kem Kem meteorites are mostly a footnote in the history of the Saharan Gold Rush, and their market value has been reduced by subsequent changes in the market. Obviously OC's are not nearly as valuable now as they were almost 20 years ago when any meteorite (OC or not) carried more value than it does now. I do not see any reason to continue concealing the exact circumstances and locations of the finds. For that matter, on a related note, why don't the Labennes open up and release the coordinates of the Sahara-xx finds that still do not have coordinates? After all of these years, I do not think they (Franco, Casper, Labennes, etc) will be losing any profit by releasing the find coordinates of these meteorites, especially those that are weathered OC's without much value now. This might benefit science in some small way by allowing some pairings to be made. Releasing this info would be seen as a goodwill gesture by many in the community - science and collector. Best regards, MikeG -- - Web - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/galacticstone - On 5/29/14, Bernd V. Pauli via Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com wrote: Zelimir's post didn't make it to the List ... so, here it is: Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they? (29-Mai-2014 12:36) From:Zelimir Gabelica zelimir.gabel...@uha.fr To: bernd.pa...@paulinet.de Dear Bernd, Hope you and Pauline are doing well! Thanks for this info. About 2 hours ago, I also sent Mike an answer (in plain text format), with copy to the MetCantralList. Mike probably received the message (though he still can be sleeping) but I did not receive my copy as member of MetCentralList. I don't know the reason but believe if your message could be sent perhaps you could help me by sending mine as well. Here it is: --- Hi Mike, As you might know, Kem Kem is a wide area in South Morocco, near the Algerian border, especially explored for various fossils. Many well known markets where NWA meteorites are currently traded (Erfoud, Er Rachidia, Zagora, Taouz, Ouzina, Foum Zguid...) are located in (close to) this area that does not seem officially defined by administrative borders (though I may be wrong for this). Here are a few links (among many others) situating the area and giving an idea of the vast desert land where obviously many meteorites are likely to exist or have been found. http://img.webme.com/pic/s/spinosauridae/kem_kem.jpg http://www.easy-raider.com/images/cartekk12.jpg http://www.easy-raider.com/moto_maroc_kemkem_ang.htm Regarding NWA meteorites, I can just mention 2 of the NWAs from my collection that were nick-named Kem Kem: NWA 052 and NWA 753. Both are described in MetBull database and said being found in the Kem Kem region Here is the short collection writeup I have added for each -- 1) NWA 052 (Kem Kem) (Morocco, L5 )(S3 W0/1 ), found 1998, tkw: 1@1088 g Cut individual, 80% crust, 942.5 g. History and scientific significance . Found in Central-South Morocco by Michel Franco who sold it under the pseudo Kem Kem. Acquired from Michel Franco in 1999 --- 2) NWA 753 (Kem Kem ) (Sahara, R3.9 )(S2 W2 ), found 2001, tkw:
Re: [meteorite-list] Fw: Re: Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they? (Secret find coordinates)
Mike and List, I think that I was the one that purchased the original Kem Kem which weighed a few lilos from Michael Casper and it is shown in one of his catalogs; maybe in 1999? Details would require me to do some searching. After purchasing I went to Kem-Kem and ended the journey in Algeria by accident at 3am just a few days after some Russians were killed in the area. My driver and other passengers were stopped at gunpoint shortly after 3am when our mistaken road passed a military outpost. God was generous and we were granted safepass only because the guard was hald asleep and was busy getting on his full clothing when we were stopped. I will never forget Kem-Kem. I spent sundown on a hilltop meditating and watching the Sun set. Dirk Ross...Tokyo From: Galactic Stone Ironworks via Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com To: Bernd V. Pauli bernd.pa...@paulinet.de Cc: meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com Sent: Friday, May 30, 2014 1:11 AM Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Fw: Re: Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they? (Secret find coordinates) Hi Bernd, Zelimir, Eric, and List, Wow, thank you to everyone who replied. I now have a better understanding of Kem Kem. I was also contacted off-list by a few people who filled in some of the blanks, so to speak. Apparently there were several numbered Kem Kem finds ranging from the original unnumbered Kem Kem upwards to Kem Kem 20-something. So, there are at least 20+ Kem Kem named meteorites floating around on the collector market. While some of the Sahara-xx finds are officially classified (and some are not), it appears that none of the Kem Kem finds have been classified under the Kem Kem name, although at least two appear to be officially-recognized synonyms of classified finds (NWA 052 and NWA 753). My specimen of Kem Kem does not appear to be an R-chondrite. Of course, I am going by visual analysis only, but the appearance does not strike me as an R-type. I do think the Kem Kem meteorites have some historical interest for collectors. Their role in bringing about the NWA dense collection area naming system is interesting. Does anyone know if Michael Casper or Michel Franco read this List? It would be nice if one of them would chime in and share their knowledge on this subject. I am assuming the reason the find coordinates of these meteorites were withheld is because of profit - to prevent other finder/dealer teams from recovering specimens that would be valuable on the market (at the time). Now, many years later, these Kem Kem meteorites are mostly a footnote in the history of the Saharan Gold Rush, and their market value has been reduced by subsequent changes in the market. Obviously OC's are not nearly as valuable now as they were almost 20 years ago when any meteorite (OC or not) carried more value than it does now. I do not see any reason to continue concealing the exact circumstances and locations of the finds. For that matter, on a related note, why don't the Labennes open up and release the coordinates of the Sahara-xx finds that still do not have coordinates? After all of these years, I do not think they (Franco, Casper, Labennes, etc) will be losing any profit by releasing the find coordinates of these meteorites, especially those that are weathered OC's without much value now. This might benefit science in some small way by allowing some pairings to be made. Releasing this info would be seen as a goodwill gesture by many in the community - science and collector. Best regards, MikeG -- - Web - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/galacticstone - On 5/29/14, Bernd V. Pauli via Meteorite-list meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com wrote: Zelimir's post didn't make it to the List ... so, here it is: Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Kem Kem Meteorites - What the heck are they? (29-Mai-2014 12:36) From: Zelimir Gabelica zelimir.gabel...@uha.fr To: bernd.pa...@paulinet.de Dear Bernd, Hope you and Pauline are doing well! Thanks for this info. About 2 hours ago, I also sent Mike an answer (in plain text format), with copy to the MetCantralList. Mike probably received the message (though he still can be sleeping) but I did not receive my copy as member of MetCentralList. I don't know the reason but believe if your message could be sent perhaps you could help me by sending mine as well. Here it is: --- Hi Mike, As you might know, Kem Kem is a wide area in South Morocco, near the Algerian border, especially explored for various fossils. Many well known markets where NWA meteorites are currently traded (Erfoud, Er Rachidia, Zagora, Taouz, Ouzina, Foum Zguid...)
[meteorite-list] Moving Big Iron Meteorites fro here to there...
Team Meteorite: I'm building a house here in Costa Rica. One purpose is to finally create a space conducive to storing meteorites in an otherwise humid climate more conducive to storing cigars - Costa Rica is an open air humidor. My collection has been sitting in storage in Florida and I want to bring it here. The main logistic problem will be 1. a bowling ball size Campo that is anything but a bowling ball shape 2. A Gibeon that is extremely oriented, so its flat and smooth on one side, 'ripped' on the other. These weigh under 10kg each, and could go in a carry-on suitcase. I would never consider checking them in at Miami airport and expecting to find them in San Jose. Shipping them via DHL would be costly, and could be a problem in customs. I have asked TSA people about them during the last few trips and it was unanimous that they aren't 'prohibited material'. And ironically, bowling balls are OK to carry on. But they do have a prohibition about anything that could be used as a projectile. These once excelled at that skill. I called TSA this morning and was told it was up to the gate agent. Fine if I reach the TSA guys and they deny passage if someone is driving me to the airport. But I drive across Florida from Ft Myers to reach the airport, and there is no one there to give them to for storage if the TSA tells me no way. How are all the dealers moving their stock from country to country these days? Saludos. Kevin Kichinka Rio del Oro, Santa Ana, Costa Rica The Art of Collecting Meteorites available on Amazon/Barnes and Noble The Global Meteorite Price Report - 2015 available in December, 2014 mars...@gmail.com __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] NASA Sets Media Coverage for Saucer-Shaped Test Vehicle Flight in Hawaii
May 29, 2014 NASA Sets Media Coverage for Saucer-Shaped Test Vehicle Flight in Hawaii NASA's Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (LDSD) project will fly a rocket-powered, saucer-shaped test vehicle into near-space next week from the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Several events are planned for reporters who would like to cover this unique space technology engineering test flight. On Monday, June 2, reporters who have previously received access clearance from the U.S. Navy are invited to the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kauai to attend a news conference about the test. After the televised briefing at 8 a.m. HST, reporters in attendance will be offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and LDSD operations. Reporters planning to attend the Monday briefing must arrive at PMRF no later than 7 a.m. for escort onto the facility. Journalists unable to attend can participate in the briefing via teleconference and should contact David Steitz at david.ste...@nasa.gov or 202-236-5829 for dial-in information. Briefing panelists include: -- U.S. Navy Capt. Bruce Hay, PMRF Commanding Officer -- Mike Gazarik, Associate Administrator of the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Washington --Mark Adler, LDSD Project Manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California --Ian Clark, LDSD principal investigator at JPL Gazarik will be available for live television interviews from midnight - 6 a.m. (6 a.m. - noon EDT) Monday. To reserve an interview time and get satellite coordinates, media should contact David Steitz. NASA has identified six potential dates for launch of the high-altitude balloon carrying the LDSD experiment: June 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. Decisions to attempt launch of the LDSD test will be made the day before each launch opportunity date. NASA will issue launch advisories via the mission website, media advisories and on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/NASA_Technology and https://twitter.com/NASA On launch attempt days, journalists are invited to PMRF to watch the liftoff and flight of the balloon carrying the LDSD. The June 3 launch window extends from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. HST. After the balloon launch, reporters will be able to watch flight events as they unfold on monitors at the LDSD media center located in the PMRF hanger. Reporters must arrive each balloon launch attempt day no later than 7 a.m. for escort onto the base. Journalists should follow the LDSD mission website for daily launch window dates and times. NASA's LDSD carries several onboard cameras. It is expected that video of selected portions of the test, including the rocket-powered ascent, will be downlinked and streamed live to several NASA websites. Reporters not attending can watch the balloon launch and subsequent test on NASA TV, or on the web at: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv and http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2 Live commentary is expected to begin at 7:45 a.m. HST (1:45 p.m. EDT). For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and updated scheduling information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv After the balloon reaches an altitude of 120,000 feet, the rocket-powered test vehicle will be dropped. Seconds later, its motor will fire, carrying it to 180,000 feet and as fast as Mach 4. LDSD carries several onboard cameras. It is expected that video of selected portions, including the rocket-powered ascent, will be downlinked live and streamed live to NASA TV and online. More information about the LDSD space technology demonstration mission is online at: http://go.usa.gov/kzZQ NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the LDSD mission, a cooperative effort led by JPL. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages LDSD within the Technology Demonstration Mission Program Office. NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, is coordinating support with the Pacific Missile Range Facility and providing the balloon systems for the LDSD test. For more information about the Space Technology Mission Directorate, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech -end- David Steitz Headquarters, Washington 202-236-5829 david.ste...@nasa.gov DC Agle Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-393-9011 a...@jpl.nasa.gov Stefan Alford Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii 808-335-4740 stefan.alf...@navy.mil __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Planetbrey Meteorites running on autopilot?
Hi List, During the recent Kem Kem discussion, a number of List members mentioned Scott Brey of Planetbrey meteorites as one of the dealers who sold Kem Kem material. They have also mentioned that Mr. Brey went silent some years ago and is likely no longer in the meteorite business. Curiously, his website is still up and running. Websites require yearly or monthly hosting fees and occasional renewal of the domain name. This is why forgotten or discarded websites eventually disappear and the old 404-Not Found message comes up. Somebody is still maintaining his website. So, I got nosy and did a lookup on the Planetbrey.com domain name. It was first registered in 1999 and was last renewed in 2010 by Deborah Brey, who I assume is Scott's wife. It also lists their contact info, which I will not repost here in the interest of privacy. So, he may be no longer selling or communicating, but his website soldiers on as if nothing happened. Best regards, MikeG -- - Web - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/galacticstone - __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Met Bulletin Update - 17 NWA's and Many Achondrites.
Hi Bulletin Watchers, There are 17 new approvals from the NWA DCA. Most of them are carbonaceous chondrites or achondrites. Link - http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?sea=%2Asfor=namesants=falls=valids=stype=containslrec=50map=gebrowse=country=Allsrt=namecateg=Allmblist=Allrect=phot=snew=2pnt=Normal%20tabledr=page=0 Best regards and Happy Huntings, MikeG -- - Web - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/galacticstone - __ Visit the Archives at http://www.meteorite-list-archives.com Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://three.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
