[meteorite-list] Meteorites are like lumps of gold!

From: Meteorites USA <eric_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 10:30:44 -0700
Message-ID: <4A01C944.2020301_at_meteoritesusa.com>

This is apples and oranges...

Comparing meteorites to gold was merely and analogous representation of
the overall commercial value of meteorites. NOT intended to suggest
anything unrelated to science or to exclude science at all, and
certainly not to disallow any scientific value discussion or expression.
Meteorites do have great scientific value, however the commercial value
cannot be ignored. To do so is naive and akin to an ostrich sticking his
head in the sand.

I do agree though, that the scientific knowledge gained from the study
of meteorites is exponentially greater than any monetary value anyone
could place on any meteorite that ever was or ever will be bought, sold,
traded, or donated. In some ways they are in fact priceless.

To own a piece of the stars, and to be able collect little bits of our
universe older than Earth itself should be something everyone should be
proud of, and something that everyone should know is possible. It should
be automatic and natural for everyone and not limited to a select few. I
for one am very happy that the meteorite world is being opened up and
moving more toward the mainstream. This helps everyone in the long run.

Need for understanding is the fuel that drives the true meteorite
enthusiast, whether that person be a scientist, collector, dealer, or
hunter does not matter, what matters is knowledge and the pursuit of it.

I really think we're saying the same thing, but from different views.

Regards,
Eric





Martin Altmann wrote:
> Ehm really?
>
> So far 161,000 metric tons of gold were mined,
> but only approx 700 tons of meteorites are registered.
> (90% of them allotted on the 20 largest irons only).
>
> The kg of gold costs today around 28,400$.
>
> Most of the meteorites found in Sahara cost 25$-35$ per kg
> Most of the mass irons responsible for the most meteorites by mass cost
> below 1000$/kg.
>
> Similar or more expensive than gold are only a few rare types,
> new falls with low tkw and/or from Northern America and Europe,
> as well as all Antarctic finds.
>
> The scientific information obtainable from gold is limited,
> The information obtained through researching meteorites for science, culture
> and our understanding of the World is - priceless.
>
> :-)
> Martin
>
> (why reporters do have always such a limited fantasy...)
>
> -----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
> [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von
> Meteorites USA
> Gesendet: Mittwoch, 6. Mai 2009 18:38
> An: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Betreff: [meteorite-list] Meteorites are like lumps of gold!
>
>
> Meteor fragments on the prairies like lumps of gold
> Updated Wed. May. 6 2009 8:57 AM ET
> The Canadian Press
>
> BUZZARD COULEE, Sask. -- An asteroid that streaked across the skies over
> Canada's prairies last fall dropped a record number of fragments,
> including a bowling-ball sized chunk worth $400,000 that a selfless
> farmer has donated -- for free -- to the University of Calgary.
>
> "These meteorites are like lumps of gold with the same kind of value,"
> said Dr. Alan Hildebrand, a planetary scientist with the University of
> Calgary.
>
> "Many people have come here to collect meteorites to sell them."
>
> The valuable bowling-ball sized piece, weighing 13 kilograms, was
> donated to the university by farmer Alex Mitchell.
>
> An oilfield worker found it on Mitchell's property and turned it over to
> him.
>
> "I was surprised by the weight for the mass," Mitchell said. "It's heavy
> for the size."
>
> Under Canadian law, meteorites may be bought and sold, but a federal
> permit is required to export them. Any found pieces are rightfully the
> property of the person owning the land where they fell.
>
> More than 1,000 pieces of the meteor, which fell from the sky Nov. 20
> near the Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary south of Lloydminster, have been
> recovered so far.
>
> Scientists said Monday thousands more remain to be found now that snow
> has melted and the search has resumed.
>
> The previous record of 700 pieces was set after a meteor hit the ground
> in central Alberta in 1960.
>
> Hildebrand said searchers are finding dozens of meteorites a day.
>
> ARTICLE CONTINUED HERE:
> http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090506/Meteor_fragment
> s_090506/20090506?hub=SciTech
>
>

-- 
Regards,
Eric Wichman
Meteorites USA
http://www.meteoritesusa.com
904-236-5394

Received on Wed 06 May 2009 01:30:44 PM PDT