[meteorite-list] Fourth-grader Finds Meteorite in Florida?

From: AL Mitterling <almitt_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:43:31 -0500
Message-ID: <4746E713.80001_at_kconline.com>

Hi All,

I believe the reason that so many similar "meteor" stories by kids like Jeremiah are reoccurring is because of the Noblesville, Indiana fall. This true story is used in
one of NASA's most excellent Teacher's publications teaching the facts about meteorites.
Perhaps it is used in school text books if they talk about meteorites at all.

I investigated such a "fall" back about 15 years ago in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana. In my case the young person who I believe actually saw a meteor steak and heard something, search his yard until he came upon a rock he was sure was what he saw in the sky. I questioned him, looked at his sample and then carefully explained (very slowly to let the family down easy) as to why his specimen wasn't a meteorite, one observation at a time. I also took specimens to show them what real meteorites look like.

I'd bet that because his story was widely published at the time and my follow up investigation was also published telling the readers why it wasn't a meteorite, that my young meteor witness was no doubt teased a bit in school for creating such a media sensation. However, I believe he did the community a favor by bring attention to meteorites, how they fall, how they look and the real truths about them.

I think we can use such occurrences to our advantage, teaching people and kids about the facts on meteorites.

All my best!

--AL Mitterling



Fourth-grader finds meteorite in yard
BY KAREN VOYLES
THE GAINESVILLE SUN (Florida)
November 18, 2007


After seeing an object streak into the yard, Jeremiah told high school

classes he initially thought one of his cousins had thrown something
over the fence. After running over to the object and touching it,
Jeremiah said he knew it was something extraordinary.

"It burned my finger so I ran in the house and got my sister," Jeremiah
said.
Received on Fri 23 Nov 2007 09:43:31 AM PST