[meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)

From: Dennis Miller <astroroks_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:40:58 -0600
Message-ID: <COL113-W29D8AAB2DCFEB0C3E1E152B1A60_at_phx.gbl>

Como esta? Anne and List Richard's book will always be a standard.
I recently bought Caroline Smith, Sara Russell and Gretchen Benedix's
new book "Meteorites". These gals "Drs" put together a great book for
those with the slightest interest in meteorites. It's basic and
very easy to read. Loads of great pictures too. I also like Kevin Kichinka's
"The Art of Collecting Meteorites". Now, if you aren't a "Newbie" you
will love McSween's "Meteorites and Their Parent Planets". I use my copy
to fill up the shelf! But, what a Great Hobby, no matter what some say.
Have A Great Day! Sorry Anne but, Think Snow!!!
Dennis
 

----------------------------------------
> From: Impactika at aol.com
> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:45:39 -0500
> To: minador at yahoo.com; meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)
>
> Hello Mark and List,
>
> There is already a book that answers a lot of your questions, not all of
> them, but quite a few. It is the Handbook of Meteorites by O. Richard Norton.
> I certainly would recommend getting it.
>
> Also I would like to add one thing to the discussion about helping new
> meteorite enthusiasts; It is not because you did not see a response on the List
> that no help of response was sent. It is often a whole lot better to email
> that person privately to ask for additional details to narrow down the
> problem, or simply to protect that person from some public embarassement. I know I
> probably write 50 private emails for every one posted here.
>
> And then we are not all always glued to our computer (believe it or not!!),
> personally I have a book (about meteorites of course) to translate as
> quickly as possible so it will be available in Tucson.
>
> And Norbert Classen and I have the dubious honor of having to answer every
> question that comes in on the IMCA questions email address. Also time
> consuming.
>
> And right now I have a whole lot of snow to shovel!!!
> Have a nice day.
>
> Anne M. Black
> _http://www.impactika.com/_ (http://www.impactika.com/)
> _IMPACTIKA at aol.com_ (mailto:IMPACTIKA at aol.com)
> Vice-President, I.M.C.A. Inc.
> _http://www.imca.cc/_ (http://www.imca.cc/)
>
>
>
> In a message dated 11/15/2009 8:30:51 AM Mountain Standard Time,
> minador at yahoo.com writes:
> Dear List,
>
> I think Adam has some great points. I think people forget how rare these
> things are. Prices often don't reflect that.
>
> I think people are more likely to give advice when a "newbie" asks
> something like, I've ruined several slices trying to do such & such, I've tried A
> and B, what else should I do. it shows that they're paying their dues, but
> need a little advice which they can probably absorb quickly, saving an
> "expert's" time. The sad thing is that a few slices/specimens have been ruined
> (maybe from "cheap, common NWA" material, but very rare, finite material
> nonetheless).
>
> How do you balance the protection of trade secrets and your business vs.
> the ideal of preserving this wonderful material? I suppose there are
> techniques which are common in parallel fields like lapidary, which one can assume
> they'll figure it out the hard way (both hard on their time/wallet but also
> hard on meteorites). I would say one should be somewhat eager to help in
> that case, since keeping quiet won't deter them but only make possible the
> damage of more specimens. However, offering help takes precious time, busy
> people lack.
>
> What about the possibility of a guidebook highlighting some of these
> "common" things? The first person(s) with the ability to write said tome could
> profit from the book sales, and many novices would benefit from the tips.
> Sensitive trade secrets could be mentioned by name and the disclaimer given
> that you will have to experiment at the peril of your collection and finances -
> or maybe find a willing mentor.
>
> The book would have to be relatively comprehensive - covering the common
> things which can be found in a lapidary book, but from a meteorite point of
> view (there might be possibility of tips like "it's wise to practice this
> technique using sandstone(?) because it approximates XYZ meteorites very well,
> and you can rest assured that your learning curve isn't busting the bank").
> And it would also cover the meteorites specific topics like chemicals/oils
> to avoid, etc. Maybe some explanations of the different textures you will
> encounter in meteorites. Maybe a section on thin sections, epoxy plugs, and ?
>
> There might be room for general things like an explanation meteorite
> classifications, collecting strategies, strategies for documenting a collection of
> specimens, a list of common vendors, etc. There are lots of interesting,
> useful things that could be added that I can't imagine. Of course, you would
> have to have environmental, health and safety concerns highlighted and
> repeated throughout the book!
>
> I know this may sound a little out in left field, but it would help with
> the overall conservation of specimens and/or reduce poor, albeit, harmless
> results (as well as be an opportunity to make some money). Could it result in
> increased completion? Probably so, but those rushing head long into the
> wilderness probably can't be stopped anyway. And those who are inspired by the
> book may take a stab at it, but realize it's expensive, hard work and go
> back to only buying/trading/collecting. This book may exist, but I don't
> think so. I can think of a few books which explain etching and nickel testing,
> but I can't think of anything which comprehensively covers the preservation
> and preparation of meteorite specimens.
>
> Personally, I will always choose to buy from a handful of dealers held in
> high regard, who have invaluable reputations to protect (or middlemen I trust
> as friends I can trust). And some field hunters I know. I've decided to
> avoid attractive specimens of questionable pedigree, unless I'm willing to
> make the often expensive choice to advertise them as "believed to be XYZ
> specimen". So this book would not cause the big dealers to lose my (rare)
> business. When a "newbie" asks a question, you can point them to the "Bible".
>
> So what do you guys think? Crazy? Brilliant? (Someone with too much time
> on his hands tonight?) Is this an issue that's already on the IMCA "to-do"
> list? Is this not commercially viable?
>
> (Cricket chirping??) ;-)
>
> Clear skies,
> Mark
>
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Received on Sun 15 Nov 2009 02:40:58 PM PST