[meteorite-list] Steve Arnold Discovers Brenham Main Mass

From: Greg Hupe <gmhupe_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Nov 10 13:11:17 2005
Message-ID: <017d01c5e622$21b0ab30$e8115c18_at_Gregor>

Hi Geoff, on behalf of Steve and Phil,

Congratulations to Steve and Phil on their tremendous find. I had the
pleasure of hearing about the discovery of the Brenham main mass by Phil,
and I must say, I can not wait to see it in person and watch the video of
the dig for this monster-sized pallasite. You guys put together a great plan
for searching and it worked.

Now, if we can nominate Steve and Phil for a "Harvey Award" for their huge
find, that would be great. I know that Steve and Geoff would not nominate
themselves for one of their coveted awards, but maybe they can add a
"People's Award" for Steve and Phil. What say you Geoff?

Great job guys!

Greg



----- Original Message -----
From: "Notkin" <geoking_at_notkin.net>
To: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 12:40 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Steve Arnold Discovers Brenham Main Mass


Dear Friends and Listees:

Steve is in the field and has asked me to post the following press
release on his behalf.

Steve did not quote any prices to the media, so the $12 million figure
is just one of those colorful media exaggerations. However, the
pallasite is extraordinary and is definitely oriented (something you
cannot really see in these photos) -- it's one big nose cone.
Additional photos will be forthcoming.

The find, at 1,400 pounds, beats the next largest Brenham found by
Stockwell in 1949 (1,000 lbs) and therefore becomes the main mass. I'm
sure you'll all want to join me in congratulating our friend Steve on
this find of a lifetime.

I know you all want to see the photos, taken by Steve's partner Phil
Mani, so here they are:

http://www.aerolite.org/brenham.htm


Well done Steve!!

Geoff


***********************


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2005


WORLD RECORD METEORITE UNEARTHED BY HUNTER IN KANSAS

A 1,400-pound stony-iron pallasite meteorite found in Kiowa County is
the largest of its type ever recovered in the United States, and the
third largest in history

Steve Arnold, 39, a professional meteorite hunter from Arkansas has
found and excavated a meteorite weighing almost three quarters of a ton
from a farmer?s field near Haviland, Kansas. The discovery was made in
late October using sophisticated metal detecting equipment. It is one
of the most valuable meteorite finds ever made in the United States and
is of historic and scientific importance.

Meteorites ? rocks that have fallen to Earth from outer space ? are of
considerable value to both scientists and private collectors. Meteorite
collecting is a growing hobby, with thousands of enthusiasts worldwide
willing to pay high prices for these rare sky rocks.

Brenham meteorites, named after the Kiowa Country township in Kansas,
were first found in the area during the 1890s, when frontier farmers
sold a number of them to universities and mineral dealers. Brenham
specimens are today on display in the American Museum of Natural
History in New York, the Field Museum in Chicago, and other prominent
institutions. They are of a rare type, known as pallasites, which
account for only 1% of all known meteorites. Pallasites consist of a
nickel-iron matrix full of colorful olivine crystals (the semi-precious
gemstone peridot) and are very beautiful when cut and polished. Well
prepared pallasite specimens often sell for between twenty and forty
dollars per gram.

Mr. Arnold?s discovery is the largest pallasite ever found in America,
and the largest oriented pallasite meteorite ever found anywhere in the
world. An oriented meteorite is one which has traveled through Earth?s
atmosphere without spinning and formed a conical or bullet shape as its
surface melted. Oriented pallasites are extremely rare and highly
prized by museums and private collectors.

Steve Arnold was born in Kansas, and has been thinking about Brenham
meteorites for more than a decade. ?I traveled all over the world
hunting for meteorites, but came home to make my most important
discovery. I was just sure there were more of them out there waiting to
be found,? he said. Mr. Arnold and his partner Phil Mani ? a geologist
and oil and gas attorney from San Antonio, Texas ? made arrangements
with local landowners, which allowed them to search for the
deeply-buried meteorites. The 1,400-pound specimen was recovered at
considerable depth, and a back hoe was needed to lift it.

Dr. Art Ehlmann, Curator of the Oscar E. Monnig Meteorite Gallery at
Texas Christian University in Fort Worth visited the site last week,
and described Mr. Arnold?s discovery as ?the most significant American
meteorite find in decades.?

###

Video footage of the meteorite excavation is available.
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Received on Thu 10 Nov 2005 01:11:09 PM PST