[meteorite-list] Meteorites land in Botswana

From: Matthew Martin <mmartin_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 2009 09:44:10 -1000
Message-ID: <C747C4EA.206D%mmartin_at_sacredhearts.org>

Might be related to this...there's a video midway down the page:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2745469/Amazing-meteor-lights-up-s
ky.html


Matthew Martin
Honolulu, HI






On 12/11/09 9:37 AM, "Greg Stanley" <stanleygregr at hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> List:
>
> Anyone heard more info on this?
>
> Greg S.
>
>
>
> http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20091211&i=Meteorites_land_in_Botswana
>
>
> 11 December, 2009
> GABORONE - Some meteorites might have fallen from the sky in the area around
> the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo rivers.
>
> In an interview, the principal curator of geology at the Department of
> National Museum, Monuments and Art Gallery, Mohutsiwa Gabadirwe said on the
> night of November 21, a glowing object fell from the sky within those areas.
>
> Gabadirwe explained that this unusual incident involved a sudden appearance of
> a large glow in the sky that lasted for a few seconds.
>
> The object was suspected to have been a meteorite.
>
> A meteorite is a piece of metal or stone, which has fallen from the earths
> outer space.
>
> The meteorite burns in the sky producing a glowing light before reaching the
> ground and they range from a marble-ball size to a soccer-ball size.
>
> They may originate from different sources from outer space with many coming
> from the Asteroid Belt and could also be from the moon and mars.
>
> Gabadirwe said this incident was also reported to have been witnessed in
> neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
>
> He noted that this was the first time the incidence occurred in Botswana.
>
> However, he said, reports show that it once happened in 1999 but somehow the
> particles ended up overseas.
>
> Gabadirwe explained that these were valuable stones as they contain a lot of
> useful information especially for the scientists urging that they should be
> protected.
>
> He asked the public particularly in the Bobirwa and Tswapong areas to report
> any strange looking rocks or a hole on the ground showing signs of burning to
> either the the musuem or the local authorities.
>
> The rocks could be identified by black burnt outside surface that does not
> flake or steak off when rubbed against other surfaces.
>
> Gabadirwe advised that once meteorites have landed in Botswana they become
> part of the natural heritage of the country as protected by Monuments and
> Relief Act of 2001.
>
> Therefore they are not to be collected or removed from where they are found.
>
> Exportation of meteorites is also prohibited by law unless a special license
> has been obtained to do so.
>
> He noted that at the moment they are working with the Department of Geological
> Surveys who are making rounds in the said areas in search of meteorites.
>
> He also noted that they have been in contact with Department of Immigration
> and Citizenship to alert them in case people come from outside Botswana and
> try to steal them.BOPA
>
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Received on Fri 11 Dec 2009 02:44:10 PM PST