Re: [meteorite-list] Newbie needs help identifying a meteorite(?)
Ron, Just an afterthought. (I think I failed to include the list in my previous response, but it said, in short, that this absolutely does NOT sound like a meteorite (or tektite, in reference to another reply). But, what about a fulgurite??? These are never metallic, but the metallic silica compound description is broad enought to include lechatelierite, And the sand grains fused to the exterior fit just fine. Does it have a hollow glassy interior? As for the charred zone around it, I have never seen such a thing in lightning-struck soils, but I have seen essentially those exact dimensions in solid rock on Ayers Rock, Australia. Cheers, Norm http://tektitesource.com --- Ron Kaye [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: About 30 years ago, I found a piece of metallic rock deeply embedded in hard-packed earth out in the woods, with the ground around it charred to a radius of about 18. Having extensive experience in foundry science, I could ascertain that the item had been in a semi-plastic state upon impact, with sand embedded in the face, and gas bubbles trailing along the outer surface to a tapered rear edge. I have had several geologists look at it, and none could identify it, except to determine that it was non-ferrous and had no nickel alloys. Finally, a metallurgist analyzed a small piece, and told me it was a metallic silica compound. This was surprising, since at that time, there were only a few places in the world with the capability of creating such a compound, and none anywhere East Texas, where I found it. And no explanation could be offered as to how it would come to be embedded in the ground with the perimeter charred. I have a couple of high-resolution scans of it, which I will either e-mail or post if anyone is interested in seeing it. The story behind my finding it is pretty interesting, which has played a significant role in my keeping the piece all these years. I won't belabor the list with the story, as it has little to do with meteorites, beyond my activities leading up to the discovery. If anyone on the list would be willing to help me determine just what the thing is, please ping me privately. Thanks in advance for any assistance, or just for listening. Ron Kaye __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
[meteorite-list] Newbie needs help identifying a meteorite(?)
About 30 years ago, I found a piece of metallic rock deeply embedded in hard-packed earth out in the woods, with the ground around it charred to a radius of about 18. Having extensive experience in foundry science, I could ascertain that the item had been in a semi-plastic state upon impact, with sand embedded in the face, and gas bubbles trailing along the outer surface to a tapered rear edge. I have had several geologists look at it, and none could identify it, except to determine that it was non-ferrous and had no nickel alloys. Finally, a metallurgist analyzed a small piece, and told me it was a metallic silica compound. This was surprising, since at that time, there were only a few places in the world with the capability of creating such a compound, and none anywhere East Texas, where I found it. And no explanation could be offered as to how it would come to be embedded in the ground with the perimeter charred. I have a couple of high-resolution scans of it, which I will either e-mail or post if anyone is interested in seeing it. The story behind my finding it is pretty interesting, which has played a significant role in my keeping the piece all these years. I won't belabor the list with the story, as it has little to do with meteorites, beyond my activities leading up to the discovery. If anyone on the list would be willing to help me determine just what the thing is, please ping me privately. Thanks in advance for any assistance, or just for listening. Ron Kaye __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Newbie needs help identifying a meteorite(?)
From one relatively newbie to another it sounds like a Tektite - earth melted upon impact and remelted after being thrown above the atmosphere and reenterning. Glassy in nature... You say it is oblong or at least has a tapered end? That is a regular feature of many tektites - formed by the aear-forces of reentry upon the plastic nature of the superheated earth. Now, let's hear the rest on this list rip me wrong. Ha! How about a picture? I'd love to see it. Best, Gary On 18 Dec 2005 at 19:30, Ron Kaye wrote: About 30 years ago, I found a piece of metallic rock deeply embedded in hard-packed earth out in the woods, with the ground around it charred to a radius of about 18. Having extensive experience in foundry science, I could ascertain that the item had been in a semi-plastic state upon impact, with sand embedded in the face, and gas bubbles trailing along the outer surface to a tapered rear edge. I have had several geologists look at it, and none could identify it, except to determine that it was non-ferrous and had no nickel alloys. Finally, a metallurgist analyzed a small piece, and told me it was a metallic silica compound. This was surprising, since at that time, there were only a few places in the world with the capability of creating such a compound, and none anywhere East Texas, where I found it. And no explanation could be offered as to how it would come to be embedded in the ground with the perimeter charred. I have a couple of high-resolution scans of it, which I will either e-mail or post if anyone is interested in seeing it. The story behind my finding it is pretty interesting, which has played a significant role in my keeping the piece all these years. I won't belabor the list with the story, as it has little to do with meteorites, beyond my activities leading up to the discovery. If anyone on the list would be willing to help me determine just what the thing is, please ping me privately. Thanks in advance for any assistance, or just for listening. Ron Kaye __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
Re: [meteorite-list] Newbie needs help identifying a meteorite(?)
Dear List, Ron; Your story sounds like you have found a rare Hollywood meteorite. DF Ron Kaye wrote: About 30 years ago, I found a piece of metallic rock deeply embedded in hard-packed earth out in the woods, with the ground around it charred to a radius of about 18. Having extensive experience in foundry science, I could ascertain that the item had been in a semi-plastic state upon impact, with sand embedded in the face, and gas bubbles trailing along the outer surface to a tapered rear edge. I have had several geologists look at it, and none could identify it, except to determine that it was non-ferrous and had no nickel alloys. Finally, a metallurgist analyzed a small piece, and told me it was a metallic silica compound. This was surprising, since at that time, there were only a few places in the world with the capability of creating such a compound, and none anywhere East Texas, where I found it. And no explanation could be offered as to how it would come to be embedded in the ground with the perimeter charred. I have a couple of high-resolution scans of it, which I will either e-mail or post if anyone is interested in seeing it. The story behind my finding it is pretty interesting, which has played a significant role in my keeping the piece all these years. I won't belabor the list with the story, as it has little to do with meteorites, beyond my activities leading up to the discovery. If anyone on the list would be willing to help me determine just what the thing is, please ping me privately. Thanks in advance for any assistance, or just for listening. Ron Kaye __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list __ Meteorite-list mailing list Meteorite-list@meteoritecentral.com http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
