[meteorite-list] Meteor Chunks Crash In South Suburb - Illinois - STONES RECOVERED

From: Mark Langenfeld <mlangen_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:23:52 2004
Message-ID: <200303272240.h2RMeXoQ019427_at_mail5.mx.voyager.net>

A recent issue of METEORITICS contains a very interesting paper on the
"ownership" of meteorites. I don't have the specific citation at hand,
but it should be easy to find and I urge everyone to read it.

I think (at least in the U.S.) the owner of the property on which a
meteorite falls owns the meteorite. S/he is free to keep it, sell it or
give it away as they wish. In the Park Forest case, the local
"scientific community" is urging the donation of all of the new finds.

Strictly speaking, the stuff coming to rest on city streets and the fire
department roof belongs to the city. Stones falling on private property
belong to the individual property owners.

Does anyone disagree?

Mark
 
> "People are being urged to "turn over" finds to the scientific
> community."
>
> I want to know, do we have to? Why would the scientific community need
all
> the stones? Is it like the old woman meteorite where they cut of 600
or so
> pounds to study?
>
> Thanks, Tom
> The proudest member of the IMCA 6168
Received on Thu 27 Mar 2003 05:40:32 PM PST