[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: <20021202200813.98560.qmail_at_web80309.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 goes against me
very own argument.

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) what it was exactly
that we were searching, 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 the
documenting of all the very small fragments that they
were now able to identify, from among all the very
similar-shaped and colored gravel. They were able to
repeat this feat at three different localities.

So, I answered my own question. I guess you don't
need "expert meteorite hunters", and no amount of
training will equal the experience of a "first-hand
example".

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.

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Received on Mon 02 Dec 2002 03:08:13 PM PST