[meteorite-list] Guide to

From: countdeiro at earthlink.net <countdeiro_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:01:09 -0500 (EST)
Message-ID: <17586260.1258362069498.JavaMail.root_at_wamui-hunyo.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Excellent post, Gary
I copied the selections and found I have many, but there were some that I would like to have in hand . I do agree however that, much to the distate of many "old school purists", the days of the book are numbered as far as the publication of new materialis concerned. When I drive by the expensive to construct and maintain public libraries in Las Vegas...and were not talking about great university, or national, repositories here...I wonder if my tax dollars couldn't be spent more effectively.
Good hunting, Guido

-----Original Message-----
>From: Gary Fujihara <fujmon at mac.com>
>Sent: Nov 15, 2009 11:32 PM
>To: Dennis Miller <astroroks at hotmail.com>
>Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com, impactika at aol.com
>Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)
>
>Aloha Dennis, Anne, listees,
>
>Here are some titles of books on meteorites that I have in my library, use in public outreach, or for informal science education in schools. Some of them are well known, while others more obscure, but all most informative and worth the time to read. Some of them are listed here in no particular order:
>
>Cambridge Encyclopedia of Meteorites, O Richard Norton, 2002, Cambridge Press, 354 pg
> Good information that is well organized by the master
>
>Field Guide to Meteors and Meteorites, O Richard Norton, 2008 Springer, 288 pg
> Great reference from classifications to hunting to handlens/microscope viewing
>
>Rocks From Space, O Richard Norton, 1994, 1998 Mountain Press Pub, 444 pg
> One of my favorite books, one to which I often return
>
>Meteorites, Hutchison & Graham, 1993 Sterling Publishing, NY, 60 pg
> Good pictures and information, I donate copies to science classes I visit
>
>Falling Stars, Mike Reynolds, 2001 Stackpole Books, PA, 148 pg
> Like the subtitle says, its a Guide to Meteors and Meteorites
>
>Meteorites - Their Impact on Science and History, edited by Zanda & Rotaru, 1996 Cambridge University Press, 128 pg
> Great color pictures, very informative
>
>Meteorites, Alain Carion, self-published, 36 pg
> Short B/W printing with nice photos and good information
>
>Thunderstones and Shooting Stars, Robert T Dodd, 1986, Harvard Press, 196 pg
> Good pictures and information, some dated or obsolete
>
>Santa Lucia Meteorite Fall, McCartney Taylor, 2009 self published 62 pg
> Great story of meteorite hunting in Argentina
>
>Find a Falling Star, Harvey Nininger, 1972, Erikson, 254 pg
> Autobiography of America?s first meteorite hunter
>
>Meteorites from A to Z, Jenson, Jenson, Black, 2004 self published, 276 pg
> Great reference for falls and finds
>
>The Handbook of Colorado Meteorites, Matt Morgan, 2000 CO Geo Survey, 40 pg
> Compilation & pictures of the meteorites of Colorado
>
>Meteorites and Their Parent Planets, Harry McSween, 1999 Cambridge Press, 312 pg
> Good book on meteorites and where they come from
>
>The Meteorite & Tektite Collectors Handbook, Philip Bagnall, 1991 WIllman-Bell, 160 pg
> Somewhat dated, but good source of information
>
>Tektites - A Cosmic Enigma, Hal Provenmire, 2003 self published, 210 pg
> Comprehensive book on the different tektites, strewnfields and theories of origin
>
>Meteorites and the Origin of Planets, John Wood, 1968 McGraw-Hill, 118 pg
> A lot of valid information in this dated book
>
>Tucson Meteorites, Richard Willey, 1987 Smithsonian Press, 46 pg
> A history of the Tucson Ring meteorite
>
>The Port Orford, Oregon Meteorite Mystery, Roy S Clarke, 1993 Smithsonian Press, 42 pg
> Great story of an even greater hoax
>
>The Fallen Sky, Christopher Cokinos, 2009 Penguin Books, 518 pg
> Story weaves history, science and the author?s life in an engaging manner
>
>Meteorites - A Journey Through Time and Space, Bevan & DeLaeter, 2002, Univ So Wales Press, 216 pg
> Beautiful book, good information in an easy to read format
>
>Meteorites - Their Structure, Composition and Terrestrial Relations, Oliver Cummings Farrington, 1915 self published, 226 pg
> Obviously dated, but a good read of period meteoritics
>
>Meteorite Craters, Kathleen Mark, 1987, UA Press, 288 pg
> Good book on impact craters around the world
>
>Meteorite Hunter, Roy Gallant, 2002 McGraw-Hill, 232 pg
> Stories of Tunguska, Sikhote Alin, Chinga, Pallas, Tsarev and more
>
>The Mystery of the Tunguska Fireball, Surendra Verma, 2005 Icon Books, 278 pg
> Investigation of the 1908 fireball in Siberia
>
>The Day the Sky Split Apart, Roy Gallant, 1995 Simon & Schuster, 156 pg
> Good book for young adults on the Tunguska event
>
>T Rex and the Crater of Doom, Walter Alvarez, 1997 Princeton Univ Press, 186 pg
> Giant impact kills off dinosaurs 65 million years ago
>
>Man and Impact on the Americas, E P Grondine, 1998 self published, 466 pg
> The effects of asteroid and comet impacts on man throughout the ages
>
>gary
>
>PS. It snowed here in Hawai?i too Anne. Fortunately for us, only on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, so no shoveling for us except for the dedicated day crew workers of the observatories.
>
>On Nov 15, 2009, at 9:40 AM, Dennis Miller wrote:
>
>>
>> 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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>
>Gary Fujihara
>AstroDay Institute
>105 Puhili Place, Hilo, HI 96720
>(808) 640-9161, fujmon at mac.com
>http://astroday.net
>
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Received on Mon 16 Nov 2009 04:01:09 AM PST