[meteorite-list] Brenham Project

From: Moni Waiblinger-Seabridge <moni2555_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun Oct 22 01:16:12 2006
Message-ID: <BAY119-F342196C976FB8889F14097CD030_at_phx.gbl>

And thank you for sharing it all with us Mr. Mani and Steve!
Wonderful achievements!

Sincerely, Moni

>From: "Philip mani" <manicomfort_at_msn.com>
>To: <Meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
>Subject: [meteorite-list] Brenham Project
>Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:13:47 -0500
>
>This letter is my first post to the Meteorite List after being a long-time
>reader. I am the fortunate beneficiary of much recognition from so many of
>you related to my Brenham Project with Steve Arnold. Thank you for your
>kind words and encouragements. With this posting, I wanted to publicly
>recognize certain individuals who are the main contributors, in my opinion,
>to our most recent expedition and without whose efforts and creativity the
>wonderful story written by Associated Press would not have been possible.
>
>
>
>It was last July when I began conversations with Carolyn Sumners, Director
>of Astronomy of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I offered HMNS an
>opportunity to join Steve and I in Kansas on a meteorite search and
>recovery project. Mrs. Sumners was excited about the opportunity and asked
>me what specifically HMNS could contribute as far as unanswered questions
>about the find. I told her we questioned the timing/age-date assigned to
>the fall and we wished to try to pin-down its timing. We discussed several
>methods for age-dating and left her and her experts to further discuss and
>implement the methods for age-dating. A second question is the direction
>of the meteorite fall, specifically, its bearing and descent angle. This
>question is more complex and we felt we needed to gather as much survey
>information as possible without disturbing the meteorites and the soil
>around them. At this point, Mrs. Sumners contacted Dr. Essam Heggy with
>the Lunar Planetary Institute regarding his ground penetrating radar work.
>
>
>
>I informed Steve and he said he would do his best for the museum. I
>remained convinced he could find another meteorite.
>
>
>
>After all details with the HMNS, LPI, and our landowners were worked out, I
>contacted our good friend, Darryl Pitt, to assist with all facets for
>release of information to the public regarding this expedition.
>
>
>
>You all know our results.
>
>
>
>Steve was able to pull the golden rabbit out of the hat. My sincere
>appreciation and congratulations to him once again and, if you have seen
>the strewnfield you understand why. He tells me he feels his ability to do
>so again from this point on will be less and less. Therefore, our search
>and recovery efforts for Brenham meteorites is beginning to wind-up.
>
>
>
>Carolyn Sumners' group from HMNS included astronomers, geologists,
>paleontologists and archeologists with long and storied excavation and
>recovery experiences. It was a joy and a treat to be an observer of their
>efforts. I am excited for them and their unique meteorite recovery. Good
>going.
>
>
>
> Dr. Heggy, with LPI, was faced with a substantial change of conditions
>from those he originally anticipated in the field. Southwest Kansas had
>received quite a bit of rain and in the last three days, we were in
>constant heavy drizzle, blown sideways by 20-plus mile an hour winds. If
>not for the excitement of the project and all involved, it would have been
>miserable to be in such conditions for the 12 or more hours per day. Dr.
>Heggy adapted his equipment and techniques and continued to proceed as
>diligently as the rest of us without becoming discouraged. His efforts too
>were rewarded.
>
>
>
>Finally, but certainly not least, Darryl Pitt single-handedly prepared the
>initial press release and then he, along with the brilliant efforts of a
>colleague of his in New York, facilitated the amazing Associated Press
>story by Roxana Hegeman. Darryl worked closely with Roxana a day or two
>before Monday's final excavation of the museum's 154-pound pallasite and
>she was very well prepared for what to expect on the final day. It was
>only yesterday evening I learned that Roxana's story has enjoyed the widest
>world-wide distribution of any story ever pertaining to meteorites (with
>the exception of the announcement of ALH84001). Certainly amazing.
>
>
>
>I am grateful to be a part of the Brenham Project. I have learned much
>more than I ever anticipated being a meteorite collector. This particular
>chapter of our project was such a treat to watch unfold. I am reminded of
>Greg's words to the List that this is an awesome story where meteorite
>hunters, collectors and scientists can join to work together closely in the
>field using new equipment to make a wonderful meteorite recovery. I am
>blessed to have participated.
>
>
>
>Congratulations to Carolyn Sumners and her HMNS team for their thoughtful
>work and the additional, continuing work to come both in age-dating the
>fall and hopefully determining the fall direction and angle.
>
>
>
>Great-going Dr. Heggy for your successful use and application of the GPR.
>
>
>
>Hats-off to Darryl for facilitating the AP wire story or, as I told him
>Tuesday morning when I learned it had already been picked up around the
>world "Wow! Wow! Wow! It's amazing!"
>
>
>
>To the List, so long for now. Steve and I are off to write another chapter
>for the Brenham Project and we intend to make it a good one.
>
>
>
>Very truly,
>
>
>
>Phil Mani
>
>
>
>Philip C. Mani
>Attorney at Law
>19206 Huebner Road, Suite 202
>San Antonio, Texas 78258
>(210) 403-9461 Office
>(210) 403-9264 Fax
>(210) 860-6264 Cell
>__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Received on Sun 22 Oct 2006 01:16:05 AM PDT