[meteorite-list] Paragould Meteorite To Remain In Arkansas

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:29:59 2004
Message-ID: <200309230442.VAA05660_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.arkansasnbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=1453053

Piece of Outer Space to Remain in Arkansas
Aryana Evers
Arkansas NBC
September 22, 2003
 
It flew through space, then landed in Arkansas and the Field Museum in
Chicago almost took it back.

The Paragould Meteorite, an attraction at the University of Arkansas museum,
sat chained down and ready for travel Monday, set to return to the Field
Museum. The Field Museum purchased the piece of outer space from an Arkansas
farmer for about $6,000.

A farmer discovered the meteorite in 1930 after it crashed into a field in
Paragould, Arkansas.

The meteorite came to the U of A on loan from the Field Museum. When it heard
of the UA museum closing in October, it requested the piece of outer space
back.

A last-minute rescue effort by Dr.Derek Sears, a chemistry professor, will
allow the exhibit to remain on campus.

"Most people don't see them, particularly one this size. An 800-pound
meteorite is very, very large," said Dr. John Hehr, Interim Director of the
Museum.

The University says the meteorite's size gave it international recognition.
The phenomenon marks the third largest in the United States, and one of 13
found in Arkansas.

The meteorite will possibly find a home in the new chemistry building, once
constructed.

"The people of Arkansas will be able to go out to this new building and they
will be able to see it. They will be able to see what hurtled through space
and landed in their back yard," said Anna Ancil, Assistant Museum Director.

"It's also something that can inspire children and they can become the next
astronaut or the next astronomer," Ancil continued. "When children saw the
meteorite, their faces lit up and their little eyes got bright and they were
just, oh wow!"

Dr. Sears continues negotiations with the Field Museum on keeping the piece
of history at the University of Arkansas.

The other 7 million items in the museum's collection will remain in a
temperature-controlled facility away from public view, but available to
students for research.
Received on Tue 23 Sep 2003 12:42:22 AM PDT