[meteorite-list] Searching for Meteorites in Canada

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:22:46 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <200707301622.JAA14852_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://mjtimes.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=48281&sc=15

Searching for meteorites
ALISON SEBASTIAN
The Moose Jaw Times Herald (Canada)
July 29, 2007

An identified meteorite is a find indeed.
    "They can sell anywhere from a few dollars a gram to $1,500 a gram,"
explained Nathan Seon as he held what looked like a medium size,
odd-shaped rock in his hand.
    Seon is a 2007 Prairie Meteorite Searcher.
    The University of Regina geology student has travelled to numerous
communities in southwestern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta to
educate and help people identify meteorites.
    On Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Seon will be at the Western
Development Museum to identify potential meteorites and answer any
questions local people might have.
    The target group is farmers, explained Seon, because they are most
likely to come across a meteorite in their fields, explained Seon.
    A meteorite is a piece of rock and iron that falls to earth from out
space. Some characteristics of meteorites are that they are highly
magnetic and heavy.
    Often farmers will bring in rocks that have been in the family for
years to see if the stories passed down about the stone being a
meteorite are true.
    "One thing about this that is very different from heritage items is
these (meteorites) actually belong to the landowner," explained Seon.
    An option landowners have is to donate the meteorite to the National
Meteorite Collection.
    If such a donation is made, the landowner is eligible for a tax
credit from the federal government for the value of the rock, said Seon.
    Scientists from every branch can benefit from a meteorite find, said
Seon.
    The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is a sponsor of the the Prairie
Meteorite Search, a partnership between the University of Calgary,
Regina and Western Ontario.
     The CSA and NASA both had in interest in the Tagish lake meteorite
that fell in 2000.
    The meteorite is now part of the collection at the University of
Alberta and part of it is also housed at the Johnson Space Centre.
    May 25 was the last time a meteorite entered the atmosphere.
According to Seon, some of the meteorite fell in the area of Red Water,
Alta.
    Seon has travelled to Estevan and Weyburn.
    He will be making stops at the museums in Swift Current Aug. 3 from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Shaunavon Aug. 10, Gravelbourg Aug. 7 and Assiniboia
Aug. 6.
Received on Mon 30 Jul 2007 12:22:46 PM PDT