[meteorite-list] Brownlees in Rainwater

From: Francis Graham <francisgraham_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 05:29:05 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <707110.76604.qm_at_web58713.mail.re1.yahoo.com>

Jerry:
  Yes! This proposed study is inspiring! And it could
be done! And think of it! If these really are
micrometeorites, and we can convincingly show it, you
could easily have the largest meteorite collection in
the world without leaving your country home! Of
course, I admit Farmer, Black, Haag, Arnold, Matteo,
and others on this list would exceed your collection
in *mass*....but why quibble.
   Seriously, such a study of whether these are
micrometeorites carefully done could be published.
While "The Astrophysical Journal" might not want it,
any number of science edcuation journals would feature
it! This is precisely the kind of stuff that teachers
want to know: does their demonstration actually
demonstrate the point? To be convincing, said reknown
teacher-educator Dr David Keller of Kent State, you
must have three independent aspects, triangulation,
and this applies to science education research also.
The three proposed are : (1) aerodynamic ablative
shape (2) ferromagnetic response (3) nickel content
similar to similarly sized particles of kamacite, but
unlike industrial debris. If particles meet all three
tests, in the absence of contraindications, then we
can *reasonably* consider them iron micrometeorites.
Recall Cloudtop Science Center on this list using
filters reported a collection of particles which
failed to match BOTH (1) and (2). So there is some
doubt.
  It is true industrial iron microparticles may be
produced in large numbers in processes. But any
industrial debris would have to have been made airborn
in very recent time. The air oxidizes them rapidly.
Iron does not hang around in humid air very long, as
collectors of large iron meteorites are quite aware!
Much less time so the microparticles exist, as Yoda
would say. Would they make it over intercontinental
distances in large numbers? This is uncertain. A
mass/area ratio back-of-the-envelope estimate is that
the would not last more than two days as native iron
in the wet troposphere.
  I posted this discussion on list, but, in the
future, we can correspond off-list, to avoid boring
listees with no interest in micrometeorites. The
reason I went on list is to invite anyone to comment,
especially, spot flaws, before such a study is
commenced.
  Jerry, you shown yet another way to enjoy the rain
again.

Francis Graham


--- Jerry <grf2 at verizon.net> wrote:

> There you go Francis, worth every kilonewton of
> effort. But, first I have to
> set up a few collectors away from local pollutants,
> which in my case may be
> more feasible than some. I live in the "boondocks"
> as it were, 1 1/2 mile
> off tar roads and right smack in the middle of
> nothing. [Also great for star
> watching!] Nothing much I can do about the stuff
> deposited via jet streams
> so pictures may help to recognize comparative photos
> of microites in all the
> journals and have some semi scientific fun.
> Setting up collecting apparatus in several locations
> won't be an issue, so,
> better stop gabbing, grab my plastic trash can
> covers, white poly, add a
> little H2O to keep whatever lands from bouncing out,
> use my refrigerator
> magnets first, then the neo ones, set up my
> stereoscopes etc.,
> Who knows where such may lead and really who cares?!
> An instinct, an idea
> followed is motivation and satisfaction all rolled
> into one.
> It beats bantering but truly everyone's opinion has
> been very very helpful
> in getting me charged up.
> Jerry Flaherty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Francis Graham"
> <francisgraham at rocketmail.com>
> To: <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
> Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2007 8:53 AM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Brownlees in Rainwater
>
>
> > Hello
> > Jerry was thinking along the same lines I was.
> > I was wondering how one might begin such a study
> on a
> > small budget.
> > One method that might be used is to gather the
> iron
> > spherules that morphologically resemble Brownlees
> and
> > put them into a millimeter high and wide pile.
> Place
> > them in between two jaws of a 100% copper electric
> > spark gap. Then, using a Bunsen Kirchoff
> spectroscope
> > with a camera in the back --available in most
> teaching
> > labs--snap a picture of the spectrum. Repeat with
> a
> > similar piece of Gibeon or Campo, and then maybe
> some
> > industrial debris. I'll bet the nickel content in
> the
> > spectrum will give it away as mostly meteoritic,
> or
> > confirm it is not. Nickel has 6 close lines of
> > emission in the blue-violet region that are
> > characteristic of it, the second to shortest
> wavelenth
> > is actually triple.
> > Of course, you'll have no more micrometeorite
> sample
> > doing this test--it will vaporize. But at least
> then
> > you could be fairly sure what the next
> micrometeorite
> > candidates you collect are.
> > So now that I have done my thinking on line, it
> must
> > be actually attempted!
> >
> > Francis Graham
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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> > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
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Received on Fri 23 Nov 2007 08:29:05 AM PST