[meteorite-list] Experts Try to Solve Meteorite Mystery in India

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon Nov 1 12:32:30 2004
Message-ID: <200411011732.JAA00582_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=105300

Experts try to solve meteorite mystery
Express India News Service
October 31, 2004

Vadodara: Forensic experts and geologists in village
Nandgaon, about 18 kms from the nearest police station in Kaprada, South
Gujarat, are trying to ascertain whether a black stone - weighing a kg -
which fell in one of the farms, is a meteorite. Villagers reported a
loud bang and falling of a burning stone in a farm on Sunday evening.
The fallen stone had created a little crater on the ground.

Villages like Nandgaon and Dharampur and other neighbouring villages in
the hilly areas near the Maharashtra-Gujarat border have been
experiencing unseasonal rains for past couple of days. However, on
Saturday evening, the villagers reported hearing a loud bang-like noise
and a streak of fire across the sky. "The villagers first thought it
was an aeroplane or a fireball, but it turned out to be a black stone
which had fallen in a farm in the village," said a Kaprada police
station personnel.

With rumours rife that the incident had led to burning of trees and
could be a likely meteor, Kaprada police personnel reached the spot and
brought the stone to the police station. "It must be some stone boulder
which might have fallen down due to the rains. There are no burnt trees
or anything of sort in the area," said Abhaysinh Chudasama, Valsad DSP,
who also visited the village.

Taking no chances, Chudasama added that a geologist from Valsad district
collectorate had been summoned to check the stone.
Received on Mon 01 Nov 2004 12:32:25 PM PST