[meteorite-list] Finding Bits Of Mars On Earth

From: Mark Ferguson <mafer_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:32:03 2004
Message-ID: <001601c3dd53$6d00d120$e23cb7c7_at_laptop>

Hi Charlie and List

My understanding of the Antartica treaty was that it was set up so that it
would not be governed by any one country or owned as it were.
The presence of scientific groups and zones is to further science now,
though it originally gave a presence by the various countries. This insured
that no one country had the upper hand and could say it had sole presence.
Therefore, there are no "laws" governing movement as such and passports
would only be needed for countries through which one would travel through
territorial waters during the voyage.
There are cruises which travel to Antartica and have a geologic interpter on
board giving lectures as they go south as well (I saw a flyer looking for
applicants to such a job last year at school).


Mark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charlie Devine" <moonrock25_at_webtv.net>
To: "Adam Hupe" <adamhupe_at_comcast.net>
Cc: "magellon" <magellon_at_earthlink.net>;
<meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 4:58 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Finding Bits Of Mars On Earth


> Dear Adam, Norbert, Ken and list:
>
> Adam, what you're saying is what I was told as well. But it was
> certainly a revelation to me, until I asked myself "who would prosecute
> an INDIVIDUAL if he or she collected meteorites in Antarctica?" And I
> guess the answer is indeed nobody! But, I was also told that
> individuals from private expedition cruises were doing the collecting.
> I have no idea how close to the coast any meteorite fields may be, but
> while expensive, Antarctic cruise prices seem to be within financial
> reach of many people, and not just those for who $50,000 is a pittance.
> I checked a few websites for Antarctic cruises and several do arrange
> for smaller groups of 15 people or less to travel inland as far as 3-4
> hours will take them to camp out. This can hardly amount to a serious
> "threat" to the scientific parties down there. I imagine any list
> member contemplating going on such a cruise would want to check the
> exact geographic itinerary of these cruises and pick one that might be
> more interesting then others. As for the ethics, I'm conflicted about
> it, but that's par for the course for me. Legal it is.
> Regards,
> Charlie
>
>
Received on Sat 17 Jan 2004 06:41:25 PM PST