[meteorite-list] meteorite classification costs

From: Laurence Garvie <lgarvie_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:22:43 -0700
Message-ID: <B118E029-438B-4AE7-9AF8-904CBE6B8A81_at_cox.net>

The question comes up from time to time about the cost of classifying a meteorite and also regarding turn around time.

The actual cost varies significantly depending on the type of meteorite.

For example, base cost for an equilibrated OC
1) thin section $30 (the cheapest part of the process)
2) two hours on a microprobe $200 (machine costs at cheap university rates and not including the time to set up the probe which can take several hours)
3) operator cost are more difficult to assess but I would imagine their two hours on the probe plus another hour or two of putting the data together and submitting it - so lets say another $200 minimum
So around $500.

Now for an unquilibrated OC (since you need a good spread of Cr2O3 data) I would say at least eight hours on the probe so over $1000

Now if you need oxygen isotopes, then this by itself could easily cost $1000 (plus the $1000 for the rest of classification). But good luck finding a lab to run the 16,17,18O isotopes. Most isotope labs only run 16O and 18O.


In reality, the true costs are not passed on to the owner of the stone, but instead are borne by the institute undertaking the work. Some classifiers will charge a nominal fee to cover probe time, but again that is a small fraction of what it would cost if you wanted probe work done in a lab at industrial rates.


Turn around time - days to years depending on how interesting the stone is.

Laurence
CMS
ASU
Received on Mon 21 Mar 2011 02:22:43 AM PDT