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

From: Pekka Savolainen <pekka.savolainen_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 06 May 2009 20:43:15 +0300
Message-ID: <4A01CC33.1050101_at_dlc.fi>

> This is apples and oranges... How about some girls best friends (carbon)?
"Approximately 130 million carats
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carat_%28mass%29> (26,000 kg (57,000 lb))
diamonds are mined annually,
with a total value of nearly USD $
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_dollar>9 billion
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1000000000_%28number%29>, and about
100,000 kg (220,000 lb) are
synthesized annually."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond

best,

pekka s

^ <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond#cite_note-2>

>
> 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
>>
>>
>
>
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-- 
Solar Gems
Pekka Savolainen
Jokiharjuntie 4
FI-71330 Rasala
FINLAND
GSM + 358 400 818 912
pekka.savolainen at dlc.fi
Member of IMCA 5776
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Received on Wed 06 May 2009 01:43:15 PM PDT