[meteorite-list] CONSERVATION of Meteorites once collected.

From: Nicholas Gessler <gessler_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:31:25 2004
Message-ID: <6.0.0.22.2.20040222083956.01dd16c8_at_mail.ucla.edu>

Hey Folks,

There seems to be a HUGE misunderstanding on this list about the term
"conservation."
I am referring to the term "conservation" in the museum context.
I thought that was clear when I mentioned conserving archeological and
ethnographic items.
I thought that was clear when I mentioned the Getty and Canadian
Conservation Institutes.
I thought that was clear when I mentioned conservation "techniques."

I am talking about museum conservation: "how to keep meteorites from
decaying, how to remove rust, once they've been collected."
The general ethic in museum conservation is that the process should be
reversible, hence the term "conservation."
The term "preservation" is less favored since embedding in some epoxies and
other treatments is irreversible.

I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENTAL POLICY ON THE OWNERSHIP OF METEORITES.
As a searcher and finder of meteorites, I am for LESS governmental
interference.
In fact I would argue that in most cases, governmental interference
inhibits scientific studies.
Exceptions very likely would be Antarctica, etc...

OK - NOW CAN WE TALK ABOUT CONSERVING THE METEORITES THEMSELVES?

Cheers,
Nick
Received on Sun 22 Feb 2004 11:51:50 AM PST