[meteorite-list] Re: Constructive info

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From: DiamondMeteor <DiamondMeteor_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:54:01 2004
Message-ID: <OE28oFWlWcVVRog2Pf400002b68_at_hotmail.com>

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Dear Robert;
Thanks a lot for your valuable advice and information.
Also, I really did not mean you in my previous reply ([meteorite-list] =
One last try) though it came as a reply to a message you initiated. Your =
comments such as: "Probably beating a dead horse" and the like are not =
to be mentioned amongst what others said. I can take that with good =
lough. I know I am a "hard case".
I appologise to you in particular for what I said in the previous reply.
Robert; who said I am not accepting all the advice,,, I also =
acknowledged that many times in- and off-list. I have really benefitted =
from this list and I thank all positive and constructive repliers.

Many Thanks & Best Wishes
Mohamed
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D

  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Matson, Robert=20
  To: 'George N.'=20
  Cc: 'DiamondMeteor_at_hotmail.com'=20
  Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 2:17 AM
  Subject: Constructive info

  Hi George,

  Thanks for the quick reply.

> There is no doubt that Mohamed is a difficult case. However, he is =
not a lost cause=20
> (realizing that you have never made such a claim).=20

  I agree with you -- there's always hope. If Mohamed finds a mentor he =
trusts, he
  has the potential to go far -- thanks in equal parts to his enthusiasm =
and fortuitous
  desert locale.

> I agree, Mohamed does not have enough experience in recognizing real =
meteorites.=20
> But eventually he will.=20

  It has always been my desire to shorten the time span associated with =
"eventually" --
  for no one's benefit but Mohamed's.

> There were only two or three responses to Mohameds posts which =
offered=20
> helpful information. And I was one of them.=20

  Yes -- your post of January 13th was one of the constructive ones, as =
were mine
  from January 7th, 12th and February 3rd. Other positive posts were =
made by
  Bob King on the 13th, Allan Treiman on the 31st, and Graham =
Christensen's
  and Bob Verish's also on the 31st. There were other helpful posts =
(early-on)
  that I did not file. The point is people ~did~ try initially, but =
evidently gave up
  when their return questions went unanswered, or their advice went =
unacknowledged
  and seemingly unappreciated.

> When Mohamed says that he "knows" his rocks are meteorites, it is =
clear to me that=20
> he is simply very hopeful.=20

  You may be right about this. It's not always easy to tell if someone =
is
  being literal or not when you can't hear the words being spoken.

> I think many people have percieved Mohamed inaccurately, which is =
always=20
> easy when it comes to email and foreigners. Sometimes I =
misunderstand Matteo.=20

  "Sometimes?" ;-) In Matteo's case, it's clear he doesn't speak =
English at
  all, but rather is using a Babel-fish-type translator. So his =
occasional (frequent?)
  unintelligibility is mostly the fault of the translation software. =
Mohamed, in
  contrast, seems to have excellent English skills.

  Mohamed: you have passion, and that by itself can take you far. But =
you
  must also have trust. I honestly want you to find meteorites, and =
would love
  nothing better than to find ways to help you do so. Here is a =
checklist that
  will help you succeed:

  1. Buy a strong, rare-earth magnet. Aside from your eyes, this is =
the single
    most important meteorite hunting tool you can invest in. If you =
can't find
   any locally, or can't locate an online business that will mail one to =
you,
   let me know and *I* will mail one to you.

  2. Forget about metal detectors for now -- they will only slow you =
down.
  You can cover much more area per unit time with your eyes.

  3. If you ever have overcast days (probably pretty rare in Oman) -- =
these are
  EXCELLENT meteorite hunting days. The flat lighting makes it much =
easier
  to detect subtle color differences (see #10 below).

  4. Resolve yourself to the fact that the first meteorite you find is =
almost
  certainly going to be an H- or L- ordinary chondrite. If 1 in 1000 =
meteorites
  is a lunar meteorite, for instance, then on average you could expect =
to
  find 693 other meteorites before you'd have a 50:50 chance of finding
  a lunar -- and that assumes that all meteorites are equally =
recognizable.
  (A weathered lunar or Martian meteorite is very difficult to visually =
distinguish
  from common terrestrial rocks.)

  5. In light of #4, purchase a small diamond stone to "window" =
candidate
  specimens in the field. Be sure to use distilled water or alcohol =
when
  windowing promising stones -- your diamond stone will last longer,
  and any possible meteorites won't be damaged by chlorine and
  other impurities found in tap water.

  6. Buy a 10x or 12x hand lens (loupe) for examining both the exterior =
and
  the windowed portions of your magnetic finds while you're in the =
field. When you
  window an ordinary chondrite, the slurry that develops on the surface =
of
  the diamond stone will be a muddy brown color. If the slurry is red =
or
  black, then the stone is probably hematite or magnetite respectively.

  7. Be very skeptical of any rocks you find with gas holes in them,
  especially interior gas holes that are revealed by windowing. Also
  be quick to toss out any rocks that have solid dark interiors, or
  dark interiors with only occasional small crystal inclusions (called
  phenocrysts). These are almost always basalts. Your third image
  down on this link:

  http://pages.britishlibrary.net/mhy10/meteor/fl2.htm=20

  shows the rock interior to have the same color as the exterior --
  a clue to its terrestrial nature.

  8. Pay special attention to surface texture. Meteorites don't tend =
to
  have the rough, gritty surfaces that you see in many of the pictures
  you have posted so far.

  9. Compare desert-varnished stones with pictures of fusion-crusted
  meteorites. There are differences: some obvious, some subtle. Fusion
  crusts are very thin, and often have a cracked egg-shell look to them
  due to contraction during cooling. The fourth picture down on this =
link:

  <http://pages.britishlibrary.net/mhy10/meteor/sd.htm>

  is desert varnish on what appears to be oolitic limestone. Oolites =
are
  not chondrules. If you slice through one, you will see an onion-like
  interior structure which is not exhibited by chondrules.

  10. Exterior color is one of the best initial discriminants, which is =
why
  I earlier recommended taking a somewhat weathered meteorite with you
  when you go hunting. Chocolate brown or rusty brown (the color of a
  rusted tin can) is the color you're looking for. As such, if you =
where
  sunglasses, be careful about the choice of color tint. I find it much
  easier to recognize meteorites without sunglasses than with them
  because most have undesirable color filtering, making it harder to
  distinguish fine shades of orange, red and brown.

  There are other meteorite hunting basics, but these are among the most
  important.

  Best of luck,
  Rob

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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Dear Robert;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Thanks a lot for your valuable advice =
and=20
information.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Also, I really did not mean =
you in my=20
previous reply (<FONT size=3D1>[meteorite-list] One last try</FONT>) =
though it=20
came as a reply to a message you initiated. Your comments such as: =
"<FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Probably beating a dead horse</FONT>" =
and the like=20
are not to be mentioned amongst what others said. I can take that with =
good=20
lough. I know I am a "hard case".</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I appologise to you in particular for =
what I said=20
in the previous reply.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Robert; who said I am not accepting all =
the=20
advice,,, I also acknowledged that many times in- and off-list. I have =
really=20
benefitted from this list and I thank all positive and constructive=20
repliers.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Many Thanks & Best =
Wishes</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Mohamed</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial =
size=3D2>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A title=3DROBERT.D.MATSON_at_saic.com=20
  href=3D"mailto:ROBERT.D.MATSON_at_saic.com">Matson, Robert</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Dtreasurehunter_at_chartermi.net=20
  href=3D"mailto:treasurehunter_at_chartermi.net">'George N.'</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A =
title=3DDiamondMeteor_at_hotmail.com=20
  =
href=3D"mailto:'DiamondMeteor_at_hotmail.com'">'DiamondMeteor@hotmail.com'</=
A>=20
  </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, February 05, =
2002 2:17=20
  AM</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Constructive =
info</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT><FONT face=3DArial =
size=3D2></FONT><BR></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>Hi=20
  George,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>Thanks for the quick =
reply.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>> </FONT></SPAN>There is no doubt that Mohamed =
is a=20
  difficult case.  However, he is not a lost cause<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>> </FONT> </SPAN>(realizing that<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT size=3D2>you have =
never made such=20
  a claim).<SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>I=20
  agree with you -- there's always hope.  If Mohamed finds a mentor =
he=20
  trusts, he</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>has=20
  the potential to go far -- thanks in equal parts to his enthusiasm and =

  fortuitous</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>desert </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
  size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002>locale.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>> </SPAN></FONT>I agree, Mohamed does =
not have=20
  enough experience in recognizing real meteorites.<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>></FONT> </SPAN>  But eventually he =
will.<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>It has always been my desire to shorten the =
time span=20
  associated with "eventually" --</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>for no one's benefit but=20
  Mohamed's.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>> </FONT></SPAN>There were only two or three =
responses to=20
  Mohameds posts which offered<SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>></FONT> </SPAN> helpful information.  =
And I was=20
  one of them.<SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>Yes=20
  -- your post of January 13th was one of the constructive ones, as were =

  mine</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>from=20
  January 7th, 12th and February 3rd.  Other positive posts =
were made=20
  </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>by</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>Bob=20
  King on the 13th, </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>Allan Treiman on the 31st, and Graham=20
  Christensen's</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>and=20
  Bob Verish's also on </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>the 31st.  There were =
other helpful posts=20
  (early-on)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>that=20
  I did not file.  The point is people ~did~ try initially, but =
evidently=20
  gave up</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>when=20
  </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>their return questions went unanswered, or =
their=20
  advice went unacknowledged</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>and=20
  seemingly unappreciated.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>></FONT> </SPAN>When Mohamed says that he =
"knows" his=20
  rocks are meteorites, it is clear to me that<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>></FONT></SPAN> he is simply very hopeful.<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>You may be right about this.  It's not always =
easy to tell=20
  if someone is</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>being literal or not when you can't hear the words =
being=20
  spoken.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><FONT color=3D#0000ff><FONT face=3DArial><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>></SPAN><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>  </SPAN></FONT></FONT>I think =
many people=20
  have percieved Mohamed inaccurately, which is always<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>></FONT> </SPAN> easy when it comes to email =
and=20
  foreigners.  Sometimes I misunderstand Matteo.<SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff>"Sometimes?"  ;-)  In Matteo's case, it's =
clear he=20
  doesn't speak English at</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>all,=20
  but rather is using a Babel-fish-type translator.  So his =
occasional=20
  (frequent?)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>unintelligibility is mostly the fault of =
the=20
  translation software.  Mohamed, in</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>contrast, seems to have excellent English=20
  skills.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>Mohamed:  you have passion, and that =
by itself=20
  can take you far.  But you</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>must=20
  also have trust.  I honestly want you to find meteorites, and =
would=20
  love</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>nothing better than to find ways to =
help you do=20
  so.  Here is a checklist that</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>will=20
  help you succeed:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>1.  Buy a strong, rare-earth =
magnet.  Aside=20
  from your eyes, this is the single</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>  most important meteorite hunting =
tool you can=20
  invest in.  If you can't find</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002> any locally, or can't locate an =
online business=20
  that will mail one to you,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002> let me know and *I* will mail one to=20
  you.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>2.  Forget about metal detectors for =
now -- they=20
  will only slow you down.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>You=20
  can cover much more area per unit time with your =
eyes.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>3.  If you ever have overcast days =
(probably=20
  pretty rare in Oman) -- these are</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>EXCELLENT meteorite hunting days.  The =
flat=20
  lighting makes it much easier</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>to=20
  detect subtle color differences (see #10 below).</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>4.  Resolve yourself to the fact that =
the first=20
  meteorite you find is almost</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>certainly going to be an H- or L- ordinary=20
  chondrite.  If 1 in 1000 meteorites</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>is a=20
  lunar meteorite, for instance, then on average you could expect=20
  to</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>find=20
  693 other meteorites before you'd have a 50:50 chance of=20
  finding</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>a=20
  lunar -- and that assumes that all meteorites are equally=20
  recognizable.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>(A=20
  weathered lunar or Martian meteorite is very difficult to visually=20
  distinguish</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>from=20
  common terrestrial rocks.)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>5.  In light of #4, purchase a small =
diamond=20
  stone to "window" candidate</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>specimens in the field.  Be sure to =
use=20
  distilled water or alcohol when</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>windowing promising stones -- your diamond =
stone will=20
  last longer,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>and=20
  any possible meteorites won't be damaged by chlorine =
and</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>other impurities found in tap=20
  water.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>6.  Buy a 10x or 12x hand lens (loupe) =
for=20
  examining both the exterior and</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>the=20
  windowed portions of your magnetic finds while you're in the =
field.  When=20
  you</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>window an ordinary chondrite, the slurry =
that=20
  develops on the surface of</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>the=20
  diamond stone will be a muddy brown color.  If the slurry is red=20
  or</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>black, then the stone is probably hematite =
or=20
  magnetite respectively.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>7.  Be very skeptical of any rocks you =
find with=20
  gas holes in them,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>especially interior gas holes that are =
revealed by=20
  windowing.  Also</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>be=20
  quick to toss out any rocks that have solid dark interiors,=20
  or</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>dark=20
  interiors with only occasional small crystal inclusions=20
  (called</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>phenocrysts).  These are almost always =

  basalts.  Your third image</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>down=20
  on this link:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002><A=20
  =
href=3D"http://pages.britishlibrary.net/mhy10/meteor/fl2.htm">http://page=
s.britishlibrary.net/mhy10/meteor/fl2.htm</A></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
  face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002> </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>shows the rock interior to have the =
same color=20
  as the exterior --</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>a=20
  clue to its terrestrial nature.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>8.  Pay special attention to surface=20
  texture.  Meteorites don't tend to</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>have=20
  the rough, gritty surfaces that you see in many of the=20
  pictures</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>you=20
  have posted so far.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>9.  Compare desert-varnished stones =
with=20
  pictures of fusion-crusted</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>meteorites. There are differences:  =
some=20
  obvious, some subtle.  Fusion</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>crusts are very thin, and often have a =
cracked=20
  egg-shell look to them</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>due=20
  </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>to contraction during cooling.  The =
fourth=20
  picture down on this link:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002><<A=20
  =
href=3D"http://pages.britishlibrary.net/mhy10/meteor/sd.htm">http://pages=
.britishlibrary.net/mhy10/meteor/sd.htm</A>></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>is=20
  desert varnish on what appears to be oolitic limestone.  Oolites=20
  are</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>not=20
  chondrules.  If you slice through one, you will see an=20
  onion-like</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>interior structure which is not exhibited =
by=20
  chondrules.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>10.  Exterior color is one of the best =
initial=20
  discriminants, which is why</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>I=20
  earlier </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>recommended taking a somewhat weathered =
meteorite=20
  with you</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>when=20
  </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>you go hunting.  Chocolate brown or =
rusty brown=20
  (the color of a</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>rusted </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
  size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002>tin can) is the color you're =
looking=20
  for.  As such, if you where</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>sunglasses, </SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002>be careful =
about the=20
  choice of color tint.  I find it much</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>easier to </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002>recognize =
meteorites=20
  without sunglasses than with them</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>because most </SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002>have =
undesirable color=20
  filtering, making it harder to</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>distinguish fine </SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
  color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D261491420-04022002>shades of =
orange, red and=20
  brown.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>There are other meteorite hunting basics, =
but these=20
  are among the most</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>important.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D261491420-04022002>Best=20
  of luck,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  class=3D261491420-04022002>Rob</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
  =
class=3D261491420-04022002></SPAN></FONT> </DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><=
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