[meteorite-list] Since Scale Cubes are a topic today

From: Mike Bandli <fuzzfoot_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:31:19 +0000
Message-ID: <110920070031.675.4733AA57000715F8000002A322007354469B01010096969A00_at_comcast.net>

 Sterling Wrote: "The purpose of a scalecube is SCALE ONLY."

I believe there is a misconception that scalecubes were designed for meteorites, measurement, and field photography. This is not the case. The ORIGINAL design had several functions and had nothing to do with meteorites, measurement, or field photography.

One of the most important functions was showing the orientation of lunar samples on the lunar surface within the a lab setting. You'll notice many lunar samples oriented on clumps of Tin-Foil inside the pressure cabinets. Some photos show both cube and sample oriented on Tin-Foil. (This was only possible if a photograph was taken on the lunar surface with a Gnomon prior to sample collection.) It was important to record and note the orientation of samples as they appeared on the lunar surface for future reference.

Another important function was for describing important features such as zap pits, clasts, etc.. From the A17 Sample Catalog, page 127, Sample #75075: "Surface T was coated by a dark gray, fine grained, cohesive patina... Parallel microgrooves run N to S over much of surface T. Surface B is fresh, except for small patches of gray patina." How would one describe these features without some sort of reference device like the scalecube?

It was crucial that this kind of data be recorded as samples would soon be split and chipped and divided to principle investigators. The scalecube aided in recording the sample's original collection state, both in photography and in description.

This being said, I would respectively disagree with Sterling's statement that cubes are only for scale.

HOWEVER...

I believe that, after the LRL, the cubes were adapted to be used for meteorite photography and share different, but similar functions (When used correctly!!). I don't believe the majority of meteorite collectors give much thought as to T, B, S, E, W, and N. Cubes are arbitrarily placed in the majority of photographs I see and used only for the 'scientific/official look.' This is an example where Sterling's statement could be true.

Cube out,

Mike Bandli
Received on Thu 08 Nov 2007 07:31:19 PM PST