Meteorite????

Hi there,
We were in the Mojave desert in June. Had a great time, did a little prospecting.!
We were guest of friends that had membership with LDMA. Quite interesting in Dusenburg.!
  While there my husband found a very magnetic chunk of rock, we believe, may be a meteorite. We did the tile test, no streaks. The inside looked real shiny like iron or silver.
Very heavy, looks very weathered.! Can hold it in your hand, about the size of a coffee mug.!
Does anyone know where to take this for inspection.??
                Thanks for advice.!!
                                   Contrygal

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,16557.msg106049.html#msg106049

Back to you Seldom;
Hello. we are located in foothills of central, California. ( Little town called Tollhouse,Ca.)
   Yes... Like the cookie.!!!!!   :
In a area close to the 49 highway , named for the 49 er's . A great place to live. You can go in any direction for recreation. We prefer the hobby of panning now since we are older.!! heh-heh- 
Been in numerous streams and rivers. Having a great retirement.!
                        Contrygal & Don

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,16557.msg106053.html#msg106053

Hi Contrygal,

Can you post a few photos?

Ironman

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,16557.msg106141.html#msg106141

Yes. Please post some pictures. Ironman or others here may be able to help.


jim

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,16557.msg106172.html#msg106172

Hi Contrygal,

it may be possible to have it analyzed at one of the few University Labs that specialize in meteorite classification. This can be a very very long process unless you happen to know someone at the University who can expedite for you. The wait can sometimes be well over a year especially at University of Arizona. or University of California.

Often but not always iron meteorites will have indentations or "thumbprints" where parts of the meteorite were ablated during entry into the Earth's atmosphere.  If you can grind a window and take a few more photos for viewing this would help. You can also have that window etched. This process reveals the crystalline patterns (Widmanstatten patterns) that are characteristic of iron meteorites. I don't recommend trying to etch a suspected meteorite yourself as it can be very dangerous. Have an expert do it for you. This would be the quickest way to confirm if your find is a meteorite.

There is always the possibility you have a meteorite. Try and post a few more pics. Take them in the sunlight so I can take a better look at them for you. Especially when you grind a window in it.

Just for your information there have been iron meteorites found in the Mojave. Franconia irons and of course the huge Old Woman meteorite found in 1976. These are the ones I remember off the top of my head. I will post a pic of the Old Woman meteorite so you can see the thumbprints. Also the Franconia irons. Good Luck!!!!!!

Ironman

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,16557.msg106441.html#msg106441