[meteorite-list] SCIENTIFIC VALUE OF (SOME) HAMMER STONES

From: Sterling K. Webb <sterling_k_webb_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 21:36:43 -0500
Message-ID: <002901c7a651$30753d20$c3e08c46_at_ATARIENGINE>

Hi, All,

> ...because where a meteorite lands and what it hits
> has no scientific value or importance whatsoever.

    Actually, when accurately reported and verified, such
falls have a great scientific value. Recorded over a period
of time, data like the number and frequency of cars hit
by meteorites can be used to calculate the total number
of meteorites that fall per year over the entire Earth, an
essential datum that is in some dispute.

    It is possible (and not that difficult) to find out how
many cars (and trucks) are registered in the US from
year to year, for many decades. Since cars, old or new,
have roughly the same "footprint" on the planet, it's
easy to calculate the total area of all cars added together
(trucks are done separately and added in).

    The thing about the area of a "target" for a random
bombardment is that it makes no difference to the math
of it whether the "target area" is all collected together in
one spot (like a plot of a hundred square miles in Arizona)
or spread out over the entire nation (like cars). It's all the
same; area is all the counts.

    By observing the frequency of meteorite hits on cars,
we can derive a very accurate figure for the number of
meteorite falls per unit area per year. The same approach
can be used with other distributed items: meteorite hits
on ships, meteorite hits on buildings, meteorite hits on
people, and so forth.

    There are problems with some of these possible
indicators. People are too small, despite their numbers --
they don't get hit very often. Meteorite hits on buildings often
go unnoticed. Ships, large, ocean-going, possess a very
small target area compared to US cars but have recorded
enough hits to suggest a even higher rate than cars do.

    Doing the math, car hits suggests that the traditional
MORP value of 25,000 meteorites falling to Earth per year
grossly underestimates the Fall Rate which seems to be,
using conservative assumptions, between 60,000 and
80,000 per year for the planet as a whole.

    Record the hits, please.


Sterling K. Webb
--------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael L Blood" <mlblood at cox.net>
To: <cynapse at charter.net>; "Meteorite List"
<Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 03, 2007 7:04 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Rosetta Stone Analogy


on 6/3/07 3:16 PM, Darren Garrison at cynapse at charter.net wrote:
> I don't see why calling it A "Rosetta stone" (not THE "Rosetta stone") is
> a
> "marketing term", as much as a description of the significance of the
> find.
> Now, "hammer stone", THAT is just a marketing term to me, because where a
> meteorite lands and what it hits has no scientific value or importance
> whatsoever.
--------
Hi Darren,
        The derivation of "hammer stone" is a bastardization of "hammer,"
a name I coined in reference to meteorites that "nailed" something. Rather
than "a marketing ploy," it was more along the lines of having fun, like
calling Valera "the Venesualen Butcher." (a name coined by ET who did
NOT own any of the material, therefore, could in no way be accused of using
the term as "a marketing ploy."
          I have also referred to hammers as "bashers, maulers, crushers,
beaters, etc .... a real 'Murderers' Row' of the meteorite world," because
of the delight they bring me, rather than "a marketing ploy."
        As for "scientific value" being used as a criterion for validating
such terminology, that implies that all collectors collect BECAUSE of the
scientific significance of meteorites - or at least they SHOULD collect for
said reason. In fact, many collect based ONLY on witnessed falls, others
on geographic "touchdown," others on esthetic appeal, etc. Just who is it
that heads the Supreme Court of "legitimate" interest in meteorites?
        As for naming NWA meteorites, it seams to me there have been
precious few, starting, I believe with "Twisted Sister" ..... again,
something I believe was inspired by appreciation rather than profit motive,
while two separate falls have been referred to as "the Rosetta Stone" - both
have scientific origins and merit.
        However, I am always amazed at the cynicism of such a large segment
of the collecting community when it comes to such things. Too bad, it does
seam phenomenally ironic that some of the more playful lot of collectors can
be found among dealers, themselves, while so many other collectors find all
their actions suspicious and are ready to hold them in contempt at every
step.
        So, go ahead, mean while I will delight in my own collection of
hammers (by the way, I find the term, "hammer stone" most unappealing -
at best).
        Best wishes, Michael

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Received on Sun 03 Jun 2007 10:36:43 PM PDT