[meteorite-list] Record Nevada Chondrite Find

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2010 16:01:32 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <638906.91582.qm_at_web30707.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Dear List Members,

Yes, sometimes it is a shame that a meteorite has to be cut. I remember having to cut my first find which was a completely crusted chondrite so that 20% could be submitted for classification. By cutting the single stone, I was able to preserve two others found within 24 hours and a 100 feet of one another. The other two stones did not need to be cut since they were part of the same strewn-field. A lot of teams have agreements before entering the field of how the finds will be split so sometimes the decision to cut has already been made before the meteorite has even been found. This is something to think about when doing group hunts.

In the case of NWA 5000, I had no choice. The scientific community was provided with more than double the required amount and we would have not seen how shockingly beautiful the inside was. Also, due to record setting acquisition costs and other expenses, I needed some kind of working inventory before placing the 9.61 kilogram main mass. This working inventory allowed for the preservation of the vast majority of the stone as a single specimen. Everybody won, the scientific community got what they needed, the collector market was able own some and the main piece will be preserved for future generations.

Now back to the record setting Nevada find. I got a call from Sonny asking if they come down to Laughlin and utilize my equipment for cutting it. I responded that it would be no problem at all. I told him that the "JUDGE", what I like to call my 24" Highlands Park saw had not been used in years and would require some tuning before attempting such a large meteorite. I did ask on three separate occasions if this is what they really wanted. Sonny and Count Guido Deiro already had a fair agreement in place ahead of time and Guido wanted to honor it. Who am I to question them any more about it? Their minds were made up so I did not ask them again once preparation was started. I have known Sonny for a long time and respect what ever decision he comes up with.

It was a pleasure meeting Guido for the first time since I left the Tucson show early and was unable to do so there. It was a rare privilege for me to share in his enthusiasm for the find. It was an honor to be entrusted with cutting the record setting specimen after their decision to do so was made. My main concern was that it be done correctly. Once I got over how big and impressive it was, I could see that it would require some preparation before cutting. If it were simply thrown onto a the JUDGE without any preparation, I am sure that it would have fragmented into several pieces due to the tremendous pressure this big saw can bring to bear. It took all day to prepare the meteorite and the saw. It took nearly an hour to make the single cut since the saw was set on the slowest speed in order to get the smoothest cut. It will take several more hours in order to apply a mirror-like finish to cut surfaces.

The end product will be that the two hunters who were responsible for the recovery of this record setting mass will each be rewarded with two very presentable halves. These two pieces will forever be connected in the minds of the two neighbors and hunters who unearthed this treasure. The two pieces can be brought back together any time they want in the future. As a matter of fact, we plan on having a barbecue soon at the Counts place in order to celebrate the find and more importantly, new friendships.


Best Regards,

Adam
Received on Sun 07 Mar 2010 07:01:32 PM PST