[meteorite-list] Scientists in Antarctica (& Housewives in Nevada)

From: Robert Verish <bolidechaser_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:53:32 2004
Message-ID: <20021203104309.90109.qmail_at_web80302.mail.yahoo.com>

In the past I have questioned the wisdom of sending
"scientists with little to no camping experience" to
search for meteorites in Antarctica, when we have so
many experienced and "field-proven" meteorite finders
here in the U.S. and worldwide?
But just this past week, I have had an experience that
has caused me to reconsider my opinion.

I just returned from leading an "expedition" to
snowy/muddy Nevada with a "team" of middle-aged
homemakers with little to no experience camping.
(Truth is, all the men backed out for various reasons,
leaving me with only an inexperienced, yet highly
interested, "all-women-team".) None of the women were
what you would call "meteorite collectors". They
wouldn't know a Gao from gangue, a Gibeon from
goethite, or a Henbury from hematite.

But after I made the first find, and was able to show
them first-hand (on the ground) exactly what was the
object of our search, they immediately started making
finds themselves. And this wasn't on surfaces that
are as recovery-friendly as "blue-ice fields". These
were surfaces that were partly covered with vegetation
and gravel. I couldn't keep up with them, as I
attempted to document all of the small fragments that
they were now identifying from among all the very
similar-shaped and like-colored gravel that were
co-deposited on these Nevada "flats". (For example,
see:
<http://meteorite-recovery.tripod.com/first-hand.jpg>
)
They were able to repeat this feat at three different
localities.

So, I answered my own question. I guess you don't
need "experienced meteorite hunters", and no amount of
reading will equal the example of a "first-hand",
in-situ meteorite find.

A well-earned Thanks and Congratulations to my fellow
Nevada-meteorite-recovery team members. And now, I
only want to wish Good Luck and Safe Travels to those
scientists that have been "bestowed the honor" of
searching for meteorites in Antarctica for all of us.

Bob V.



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Received on Tue 03 Dec 2002 05:43:09 AM PST