[meteorite-list] Newbie needs help identifying a meteorite(?)

From: Gary K. Foote <gary_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Dec 18 20:38:22 2005
Message-ID: <43A5C883.7531.309635B_at_localhost>

>From one relatively newbie to another it sounds like a Tektite - earth melted upon impact
and remelted after being thrown above the atmosphere and reenterning. Glassy in
nature... You say it is oblong or at least has a tapered end? That is a regular feature
of many tektites - formed by the aear-forces of reentry upon the plastic nature of the
superheated earth.

Now, let's hear the rest on this list rip me wrong. Ha!

How about a picture? I'd love to see it.

Best,

Gary

On 18 Dec 2005 at 19:30, Ron Kaye wrote:

> About 30 years ago, I found a piece of metallic rock deeply embedded in
> hard-packed earth out in the woods, with the ground around it charred to a
> radius of about 18". Having extensive experience in foundry science, I could
> ascertain that the item had been in a semi-plastic state upon impact, with
> sand embedded in the face, and gas bubbles trailing along the outer surface
> to a tapered rear edge.
>
> I have had several geologists look at it, and none could identify it, except
> to determine that it was non-ferrous and had no nickel alloys. Finally, a
> metallurgist analyzed a small piece, and told me it was a metallic silica
> compound. This was surprising, since at that time, there were only a few
> places in the world with the capability of creating such a compound, and
> none anywhere East Texas, where I found it. And no explanation could be
> offered as to how it would come to be embedded in the ground with the
> perimeter charred.
>
> I have a couple of high-resolution scans of it, which I will either e-mail
> or post if anyone is interested in seeing it. The story behind my finding it
> is pretty interesting, which has played a significant role in my keeping the
> piece all these years. I won't belabor the list with the story, as it has
> little to do with meteorites, beyond my activities leading up to the
> discovery.
>
> If anyone on the list would be willing to help me determine just what the
> thing is, please ping me privately.
>
> Thanks in advance for any assistance, or just for listening.
>
> Ron Kaye
>
>
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Received on Sun 18 Dec 2005 08:37:23 PM PST