[meteorite-list] Magnet canes are evil DONT THINK SO!

From: Meteorites USA <eric_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:47:28 -0700
Message-ID: <4C7421D0.5030905_at_meteoritesusa.com>

Hi John, List,

Who the heck said I was experienced?! ;) LOL I'm sure there are people
who'd argue against that... (they'd be wrong, but that doesn't stop the
their BS now does it?)

No offense meant. I think you took what I was saying personally and the
wrong way. I never said "magnets are bad". I asked questions about
contamination...

That said, I still use one. In certain circumstances. Does that make me
an evil meteorite monger? No, and neither does it make anyone else that
uses a meteorite stick an evil person.

I asked the question because I don't know about magnetic properties and
study of these properties in meteorites. I don't really know the
importance of the magnetic property issue, hence my question to Rob, and
the list. Logically I would deduce that if you were going to measure the
magnetic properties of a meteorite you would not want to contaminate the
meteorite by introducing a source of highly powerful magnetism to the
meteorite before you measured it. Seems illogical to me. However I could
be wrong, and I honestly don't know.

Also, in my opinion, (which you have every right to disagree with) if
you remove a meteorite from it's resting place before recording it's
location, it dilutes the data to an extent... Granted you can set it
back down, take a picture, and even record the EXACT GPS location. All
the information as far as science is concerned is accurate right? No...
What the meteorite looked like "in-situ" for eons before you ever
touched it is gone. The data is gone because the meteorite was disturbed
by the magnet from it's resting place before a picture was taken. Does
this matter? People would argue that too.

So technically, you're right, I did come down hard on using magnets. But
hey, magnets are tough, I'm sure they can take it. I wasn't attacking
anyone at all, I was questioning the use of magnets with relation to
studying magnetic properties of meteorites and the seemingly obvious
contamination using one would cause.

Also, for the record, there's nothing wrong with testing a suspect
meteorite to see if it "sticks" to a magnet. I do it, everyone I know
does it. in fact I don't know a meteorite hunter that doesn't carry a
neo mag on him/her at all times while in the field, and most times
anywhere they go.

I will agree 100% with you on your comments:

"...Meteorite Hunting is a fun activity that people of all ages can be
involved in.... I think any activity that promotes the science, culture,
and study of them should be encouraged, even looking for them with a
magnet on a stick!..."

Right on!

Regards,
Eric





On 8/24/2010 11:52 AM, John higgins wrote:
> Hello Eric,
>
> Respectfully,
> I think your statement is outrageous, especially coming from the creator of the
> upcoming Meteorite Hunting Magazine. How can you make a statement that is in
> opposition to what you are promoting?
> There is nothing wrong with using a meteorite stick!
> Meteorite Hunting is a fun activity that people of all ages can be involved in.
> You should know what a special experience it is to be hunting out in the field
> and find a real meteorite. Sure over time you learn that you should not hold
> magnets to meteorites, this act will make them useless for certain magnetic
> experiments. But to say from the door that magnets are bad is kind of ridiculous
> in my opinion. Everyone knows the first Meteorite test is to see if a magnet
> sticks. Sure it would be great if all Meteorite hunters were as experienced as
> you are, but this is not the case, and they cannot be taught to spot a meteorite
> without the use of a magnet, or first hand experience. That is just the reality
> that we live in. Almost every collector holds up a magnet to a meteorite to test
> it, why don't you go attack them for that matter. Meteorite Hunting is fun. I
> think any activity that promotes the science, culture, and study of them should
> be encouraged, even looking for them with a magnet on a stick!
>
> John Higgins
> IMCA# 9822
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Meteorites USA<eric at meteoritesusa.com>
> To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Sent: Tue, August 24, 2010 1:44:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Magnet canes are evil
>
> Curious about the magnetic properties of meteorites as well. We all know that
> you can magnetize metal just by placing it near a powerful magnet.
>
> I read yesterday in Richard Kowalski's post about Brother Guy Consolmagno's
> visit to Tucson. Dr Concolmagno's research also includes the study of magnetic
> properties of meteorites. I'm sure he's not the only person to study these
> properties, but it got me to thinking about it. If one does in fact use a magnet
> cane on a meteorite, do you impart any magnetic field into the meteorite? I
> would think yes, even if it is small on a scale only readable by the most
> powerful equipment.
>
> My question is does it cause problems with analyzing/testing? Is this a form of
> contamination?
>
> My question would of course then be... Why use a magnetic cane at all?
>
> If you think about it, we're "taught" NOT to remove a meteorite from it's
> original location until we get in-situ photos, and record GPS coordinates of the
> find. If you use a magnetic cane, the meteorite will be removed from it's
> ancient resting place as it "snaps" onto the magnet.
>
> Eric
>
>
>
>
> On 8/24/2010 10:10 AM, Matson, Robert D. wrote:
>
>> Mark wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> As soon as everyone stops using metal detectors and magnet canes
>>> to look for meteorites then the first Lunars in Europe or USA
>>> will eventually be found, .... until then!
>>>
>>>
>> I have never used a magnet cane, nor will I ever, and I always
>> advise new hunters against their use. A magnet cane is basically
>> an H-, L-, iron, and stony-iron filter. I sometimes carry an LL6
>> with me to the desert on the off-chance I'll run into someone using
>> a magnet cane. That usually "cures" them. ;-)
>>
>> --Rob
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Received on Tue 24 Aug 2010 03:47:28 PM PDT