[meteorite-list] Re: Brenham Follow-on Effect

From: Carl Saconn <csaconn_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue Nov 15 06:32:31 2005
Message-ID: <004101c5e9d8$409e4890$0201a8c0_at_DFDW0B41>

Geoff,

 Hello. Thanks for keeping us posted about Steve's awesome find. Just had a
few questions that you might or might not be able to answer.

 Can you post some close up shots of it? Just wondering about it's
condition. Is there much rust on it's surface? Any cracks? How is it
adjusting to the enviroment now that it's out of the ground? Was if found
completely intact or were there smaller fragments surrounding it? Any way of
determing if there was a crater? How far was it found from the other main
piece? Any info on the metal detector used? Are you searching for other
pieces? Any serious purchase offers? Any chance it might be displayed in
Tucson?

Steve did a great job on the Today show!

Thanks again. - Carl


----- Original Message -----
From: "Notkin" <geoking_at_notkin.net>
To: "Meteorite List" <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 9:56 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Re: Brenham Follow-on Effect


> Jeff K. posted:
>
>> I have also found it quite amazing that this find seems to have generated
>> such a vast interest across the US. Maybe even more than Park Forest.
>
>
> Dear Jeff and List:
>
> You've made a very interesting observation Jeff. I also believe the press
> coverage on this is much greater than Park Forest. We know of print/TV
> stories in Canada, England, Germany, and in your home country of Australia
> too ("Melbourne Times") in addition to close to 100 news stories here in
> the U.S.
>
> I think the reasons for this are two-fold:
>
> 1) Park Forest was a random Act of God-type event. Once the story has been
> written, there isn't a lot that can be done in terms of a follow-up,
> except for those of us with specialized interest (i.e. "How can I get a
> piece?"). The Brenham story has human interest: here is a professional
> meteorite hunter and his partner who came up with a good strategy -- after
> ten years of thinking about Brenham -- and were then tremendously
> successful. Newspapers love big success stories, *and* treasure hunts,
> *and* local interest -- Steve was born in Kansas, so we have all three.
>
> 2) There was no sustained effort to promote the Park Forest story as far
> as I know, and why should there be? Phil and I have written press
> releases, sent emails, faxes, and photos all over the country. I hired a
> P.R. expert as my media advisor; we also have a new website under
> construction. Steve has done multiple interviews (even I did two
> interviews) and has staged public events: the big pallasite was on display
> at the Afton Observatory near Wichita on Saturday evening, and local TV
> and papers were there to see it.
>
> This is a great story, and a fun one, and we've worked really hard at
> promoting it. These things don't happen by themselves. Glad to see it's
> working!
>
> What's really interesting to me is how a story like this galvanizes the
> public, and suddenly people are finding "meteorites" under their beds and
> scouring the internet for more information about them. I bet all this
> media attention will generate more than one new meteorite hunter. When
> people hear about a "Million Dollar Rock" being found in a farmer's field,
> a lot of them want to get in on the action : )
>
>
>> My website has been hammered with nearly 2000 hits this weekend (about
>> 300%
>> extra) with people searching for Pallasites, Brenham, etc, etc. I've also
>> had a plethora of emails from people wanting to know how much their
>> "meteorites" (aka Normal Rocks) are worth.
>
> Same here. I've also had several crackpot phone calls from people who have
> found "meteorites." One of the was really scary. The guy said he'd found a
> 6 by 10 ft. "meteorite" that looked just like dolomite. "D'ya know what
> dolomite lerks like?" he bellowed.
>
> He then went on to tell me he'd like me to help him with his book on "the
> other side of evolution" which shows "that feller Darwin's ideas was based
> on a load 'o waffles." At that point I excused myself.
>
>
> For our friends in Canada, Discovery Channel Canada will be airing a new
> piece on Steve and the big Brenham either tonight or tomorrow night on
> their "Daily Planet" segment. We believe that it will be shown in the U.S.
> next week, and will try to get exact showtimes for you.
>
> Steve is finally on his way home, so hopefully he'll be able to post to
> the List soon. Thanks to everyone who sent emails of congratulations. I
> have been keeping him up-to-date, and we've saved copies off all of your
> posts.
>
>
>
> Finally:
>
> PLEASE don't forget to send your Joel Schiff gifts to our friend Maria at:
> dragonsoup_at_msn.com
>
> We've heard from a lot of people, but hope to hear from a lot more. If
> you've enjoyed reading "Meteorite" magazine please send something to the
> fund so we can acquire a really nice "thank you" for Joel during his
> recovery. Also, write to me off-List if you'd like your remaining
> subscription for "M" to be put towards our fund.
>
>
> Thank you, best wishes, to all,
>
> Geoff N.
>
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Received on Tue 15 Nov 2005 06:32:25 AM PST