meteorite times magazineedition of catalogue of meteorites. however, the story was absent in the...

44

Upload: others

Post on 01-Jun-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O
Page 2: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineContentsby Editor

Featured Monthly Articles

Accretion Desk by Martin Horejsi

Jim's Fragments by Jim Tobin

Meteorite Market Trends by Michael Blood

Bob's Findings by Robert Verish

IMCA Insights by The IMCA Team

Micro Visions by John Kashuba

Meteorite Calendar by Anne Black

Meteorite of the Month by Editor

Tektite of the Month by Editor

Terms Of Use

Materials contained in and linked to from this website do not necessarily reflect the views oropinions of The Meteorite Exchange, Inc., nor those of any person connected therewith. In noevent shall The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. be responsible for, nor liable for, exposure to anysuch material in any form by any person or persons, whether written, graphic, audio orotherwise, presented on this or by any other website, web page or other cyber location linkedto from this website. The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. does not endorse, edit nor hold anycopyright interest in any material found on any website, web page or other cyber locationlinked to from this website.

The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. shall not be held liable for any misinformation by any author,dealer and or seller. In no event will The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. be liable for any damages,including any loss of profits, lost savings, or any other commercial damage, including but notlimited to special, consequential, or other damages arising out of this service.

© Copyright 2002–2011 The Meteorite Exchange, Inc. All rights reserved.

No reproduction of copyrighted material is allowed by any means without prior writtenpermission of the copyright owner.

Page 3: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineThe New Concord Meteorite Let’s stop kicking a dead horseby Martin Horejsi

A May 1860 Witnessed Fall: New Concord, Ohio

The New Concord MeteoriteLet's stop kicking a dead horse.

Even if New Concord did not kill a calf, let alone hit one, this witnessed fallis a hammer anyway.

Sixty-one years before John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth, was born, a meteorite fell in thecounty of his birth. The stone later named New Concord, was the first of only two meteorites that fell inOhio and whose falls were witnessed. At the time, some described this fall as "the most remarkable everobserved in this country, and equal to, if not surpassing, the famous fall at L'Aigle, in France."

There were many eyewitnesses to this fall, many will compelling stories rich in metaphors. My favorite isthe description that this fall appeared as blackbirds in the sky. It is obvious that that particular May Daywas little more exciting than most.

Page 4: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

For example, Dr. McConnell of New Concord made the following report:

On Tuesday, the first of May, at 28 minutes past twelve o'clock, the people of that vicinity were almostpanic –stricken by a strange and terrible report in the heavens, which shook the houses for many milesdistant.

The first report was immediately overhead and after an interval of a few seconds was followed by similarreports with such increasing rapidity that after the number of 22 were counted, they were no longerdistinct, but became continuous, and died away like the roaring of distant thunder, the course of thereports being from the meridian to the southeast.

In one instance, three men working in a field, the self-possession being measurably restored from theshock of the more terrible report from above, had their attention attracted by a buzzing noise overhead,and soon observed a large body descending strike the earth at a distance of about one hundred yards.Repairing thither they found a newly-made hole in the ground, from which they extracted and irregularquadrangular stone weighting 51 pounds. This stone had buried itself two feet beneath the surface, andwhen obtained was quite warm.

In a 1972 Master's thesis titled The Meteorites of Ohio, Donald DavidKalinowski outlined all meteorites known to Ohio, both finds and falls. Mr.Kalinowski included the image above as a picture of the New Concordstone in the Smithsonian collection.

Page 5: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

The image below is the New Concord display specimen as it appearstoday at the Smithsonian.

Page 6: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

McConnell continued:

An extra-ordinary phenomena occurred on Tuesday, about noon, which has been noticed in manycounties in eastern Ohio. This occurrence, although it may be incredible to some, was certainly noticedby many in different localities about the same time. In this city an explosion or noise was distinctly heard.

At New Concord 16 miles east, a gentleman who was out in his field, heard a large crash similar to sharpthunder, a succession of which lasted for about half a minute and died away like the sound of a recedingtrain of cars. On looking up he observed an object descending with great rapidity in an angling direction,and on marking the point where it touched the earth, he found there a stone imbedded two feet in the earthand somewhat warm, weighing 53 lbs. Another was found of 56 lbs, one 40 lbs, and one of 36 lbs in weight,and all within the circumference of a few miles. A small portion of one of these we have in our sanctum.

At Bellair the concussion was so strong as to force open the large doors of a car house.

At Malaga some of the inhabitants were frightened thinking it an earth quake.

The shock at Barnsville seemed to jar the buildings to their foundation.

Some boys were out in the woods near McConnellsville, which is perhaps 30 miles from New Concord,and observed what they termed a large red ball descending to the earth with a fiery tail to it, but were sofrightened they immediately returned home." (Anane, 1860)

Fresh crust is so much fun even if it is 151 years old.

An article in the 1861 issue of the Silliman's Journal (xxxi, pp. 87-98) contained the following passage:

Mr. McClenahan states that at Cambridge, in Gurnsey County, Ohio, about twenty minutes before oneo'clock P.M., three or four distinct explosions were heard, like the firing of heavy cannon, with an intervalof a second or two between each report. This was followed by sounds like the firing of a musketry in quicksuccession, which ended with a rumbling noise like distant thunder, except that it continued with about the

Page 7: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

same degree of intensity till it ceased.

It continued two or three minutes and seemed to come from the southwest, at an elevation above thehorizon of thirty to forty degrees, terminating in the southeast at about the same elevation. In the districtwhere the meteorites fell the explosions were heard immediately overhead.

The reports were so heavy as to produce a tremulous motion, like heavy thunder, causing the glass inwindows to rattle. The sound was so singular that it caused some excitement and alarm, many supposingit an earthquake. At Barnesville, twenty miles east of Cambridge, the cry of fire was made , as therumbling sound was thought to be the roaring of fire.

Fresh crust with specimen numbers is even more fun. The 202.1designation is a Nininger number that was carried on when this specimenentered the Arizona State Collection. I think the 482 number is from theShepard Collection.

There is no shortage of modern references to the New Concord fall hitting and killing a horse. A colt noless. The problem is there are no historic references to this event that have been found (at least that Iknow of). One reference mentioned that one of the stones missed a horses head by three feet. But threefeet might as well be three miles.

Page 8: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Almost a hundred years after the fall of New Concord, a mention of the colt event appeared in the secondedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30years early and still six decades after the fall.

O. C. Farrington made a highly detailed compellation of information about this fall available in hismonumental 1915 work titled Catalogue of the Meteorites of North America to January 1, 1909. I stronglyrecommend that any collectors or dealers who want to continue keep kicking the dead horse story, thatyou read Farrrington's entry for new Concord. I find it very hard to believe that if an animal was killed bythis fall, that particular earth-shattering fact would not have escaped Farrington's pen.

For those who want to delve into the dense writing, here is a link to the .pdf of the entire book. I highlyrecommend reading it just for the shear excitement and appreciation of the fall. Be warned, however, thedownload is 70+ MB and the New Concord story is on pages 329-342.

While the colt killing makes an already interesting fall even more significant, repeating the story does notmake it any more real. Sorry about that.

Until next time….

The Accretion Desk welcomes all comments and feedback. [email protected]

Page 9: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineThe Real Rocks at Reality Rocksby Jim Tobin

In general, I am about as far from being a reality TV fan as a person can get. I watch mostly the channelson history and science and my sci-fi movies of course and that is it. Ask me about the news and I canbarely tell you a thing about what is going on in the world. But, this past month I broke out of my shell andheaded up to LA to the convention center to see Geoff Notkin at Reality Rocks. It was a weekend longevent about reality TV. There was a long list of celebrities in attendance, but only a few names evenseemed familiar to me.

I work Saturdays so my wife and I headed up there on Sunday. Paul and his wife drove up also and thatwas fun. The four of us had not gotten together in a number of years. Sara and I arrived a few minutebefore it started and were standing outside the entrance as Geoff arrived to open up his booth.

Sara had talked to his staff when buying me some gifts over the last couple years. And Geoff had emailedher a few times. I think she was pretty excited to finally meet him. I was happy to be there too for I couldsee the crowd was not going to be very large and had hopes of actually getting to talk to him for a fewminutes. Geoff being the gracious individual he is spent a few minute there outside with us. And it wasactually more time then we had spoken in maybe five years.

The only time I ever see Geoff is at Tucson and there is just no way to have more then a hello andgoodbye conversation there. He is doing important business and is working hard. And ever person atTucson is an opportunity for him to be the Ambassador of Meteoritics. That’s really important for all of usin this small world of meteorites. So at Tucson we poke our heads in the door of his room and wave athim. I was already pretty thrilled to have had a five minute relaxed conversation outside the convention.

Sara and I headed to the table to get our wrist bands and then made our way into the event. Geoff’s boothwas right next to the booth of Shorty and Hercules from Pit Boss. We got to pet Hercules and take somepictures of the two of them. Sara had fun talking to Shorty and got a couple autographs. But, we werethere to see Geoff and he had a great booth. Kind of a combination Aerolite Meteorites and Meteorite Menbooth.

Page 10: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

The Aerolite Meteorite booth at 2011 Reality Rocks. Geoff is speaking to a fan/customerwhom I have cropped off. But, he brought some really great meteorites as you can see .

He had brought a fine selection of meteorites to sell. Campos, Sikhote Alin, and material found on the TVshow, T-shirts and just a vast variety of other fun stuff. I have some nice Vaca Muerta meteorites in mycollection, but I found myself intrigued by his bottle of small fragments that I had watched he and Stevecollect on the show. Sara fell in love with a piece of meteorite jewelry so we got those items from him. Atthe time we were the only ones standing around the booth. What a change from Tucson.

So other folks came by so we took a fast walk around the convention floor. There was not much activity.Actually the attendance was very small early on; though in a couple hours as we were leaving we passeda good number of people coming in. So, it may have gotten better later in the day. It was the first time thisevent has been held and that may be some of the reason that there was not yet a big crowd. After makinga trip around the floor looking at the other booths we returned to Geoff’s. Paul and his wife were comingtoward us and we had a cheery greeting. They checked in with Geoff and had some time talking to him.Geoff came over to chat between customers and fans. We caught us on family info in between chattingwith Geoff. We found out what kids are doing what and whose graduated and whose still in school and allthat good stuff. Our wives had not talked in a while. Paul and I kind of just stepped out and let them catchup.

Page 11: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Geoff was ona panel discussion on the stage a few feet from his booth at 11 am. We got nice seats at a table close byand listened to that. He was on with some very recognizable TV personalities. Among whom were auctionshow stars and the a hollywood treasure dealer and several storage unit warriors. Geoff gave a greatpresentation on the collectability of meteorites and the thrill of discovering the oldest stuff on Earth.Meteorites after all make any other antiques look brand new by comparison of their ages. The paneldiscussion lasted about an hour and we enjoyed it. We had gotten a good opportunity to talk to him, butthen he took a break from his booth and we walked outside the building to a kind of open patio area. We alljust stood and chatted for about an hour. What a treat. We heard some stories and told some stories. Itwas great to get to catch up a little and renew our friendship in person. We email and that is OK but it wasjust wonderful standing there laughing and talking. Of course all great things have to end and he was thereto meet and greet his fans so we said good bye and headed home. My little bottle of Vaca Muerta is nowconnected forever in my memory to a great day of fun with some really fine friends.

Page 12: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

My bottle of Vaca Muerta fragments that were found on the Meteorite Men episode fromseason two in the Vaca Muerta strewnfield.

Geoff was off the following weekend to the NEAT convention on the east coast. The third season will keephim running I’m sure later in the year. Next Tucson will be like years of the past. He is just one busy guy.But, we had a great opportunity to spend some time with him at Reality Rocks 2011.

Page 13: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite-Times MagazineMeteorite Market Trendsby Michael Blood

Like 3 likes. Sign Up to see what your friends like.

This Month’sMeteorite Market Trends

by Michael Blood

Please Share and Enjoy:

Page 14: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineIMCA Insights – May 2011by IMCA TEAM

IMCA Insights – May 2011How it all started - Part 2by Anne Black & Various IMCA Members

In December 2010 I asked our members for input for our IMCA Insights, and a few questions that wouldshed light on the different backgrounds of those members who were willing to answer. I asked:

How did you become interested by meteorites? Which one was your first one? Which one is yourfavorite one? And a picture of that meteorite would be nice too.

We presented the first six entries in our January 20011 issue, and here are seven additional responseswe received, some with pictures, some without. Enjoy!

Martin Goff

I first became interested in meteorites through collecting fossils, specifically Megalodon shark teeth. Ibecame interested in extinction events and how large impacts played their part in some of these events.This all lead to my first meteorite purchase and the rest is history!

- My first specimen was a small Campo del Cielo crystal which I still have and this very quickly snowballedinto numerous others. My main collecting focus now is French and UK/Irish meteorites and also historicfalls from elsewhere.

- My favorite specimen is my 7g part slice of Wold Cottage. Having visited the Wold Cottage numeroustimes now I feel a real affinity with the place. Playing a small part in the re-homing of a piece of WoldCottage very kindly donated by Dave Gheesling makes me feel very proud indeed. See following article inIMCA Insights.

Martin GoffIMCA 3387

Johnny Humphries

How did you become interested by meteorites?I collected Earth rocks as a child. I would spend my weekly allowance on them. I went to sell them back torock shops and found out there wasn't any real value to them. So I stopped collecting rocks. When I wasaround 25 years old I bought my first meteorite. It was an iron meteorite the size of my first that was foundin Texas. That was all I was told about it. I paid $50.00 for it and sold it that same year for about $250.00. Iknew I was on to something good.

Which one was your first one?An iron meteorite about the size of my fist that was found in Texas

Which one is your favorite one?My favorite meteorite is my Gold Basin, and it is the first meteorite I ever found.

Here's a picture of it:

Page 15: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Gold Basin Individual (Photo courtesy of Johnny Humphries)

Johnny HumphriesIMCA 9247

Winfried Gabriel

How did you become interested by meteorites?I am also an amateur star gazer/astronomer. I picked up my first met as a "conversation piece fromspace" at science/telescope shop in Toronto, Canada.

Which one was your first one?Sahara 0075

Which one is your favorite one?Allende, Imilac, NWA869

And a picture of that meteorite would be nice too.I have been in hospital and away from my collection for months. Sorry!

(Note from the editor: No problem Winni! You can send it when you get back home. And I hope it will besoon.)

Winfried "Winni" GabrielIMCA 3844

Vincent Stelluti

Bonjour Anne,Here are my answers:

How did you become interested by meteorites?In 1997 I read the book "Le Fer de Dieu" by Theodore Monod and Brigitte Zanda. I went to Chinguetti(Mauritania) and for 10 days I walked around in the dunes. (I never found the big meteorite).

Which one was your first one?In June 2000 I went in Ensisheim and the same day I bought: 2 Gibeon (85 g), 1 Bilanga (1,5g), SAH00159(91g still not classified), Allende (11,5g), Sikhote Alin (40g), Esquel, (0,7g), Zag (320g), Assa (453g),Tagounite (284g). I spent 1550$!

Page 16: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Which one is your favorite one?Gujba

Vincent StellutiIMCA 4212

The Bencubbinite Gujba, 10.3g Slice

Rick Drew

I have to admit that (like most boys at heart) I always been something of a "rock hound" and a couple ofyears ago, I decided to spring and add a meteorite to my collection. Having visited Meteor Crater someyears ago, the choice of a Canyon Diablo was an easy one and I purchased a very nice CD from thealways rational Eric Twelker in Alaska. My next one was a Campo individual and slice that I bought fromBob Cucchiara who turns out to live about 15 miles from me. Bob turned me on to "Rocks From Space"and I was totally captivated by the Sikhote-Alin story as well as the classic look of SA regmaglyptedindividuals. I read several more books which just reinforced my admiration for and appreciation of theSikhote-Alin.In February, I attended my first Tucson show and to put it mildly, my senses were just overwhelmed (Ithink we've all been through that experience). It was second only to my first date with my wife. Somewhatspontaneously and to the good lady's (i.e. my wife's) shock and consternation, I bought what amounted toa modest inventory in Sikhote-Alin to sell from a variety of dealers. Of course, I had no way of doing that,so when I got home, I developed a website and learned as much as I could about the black art of SearchEngine Optimization. Pretty much fits and starts for most of the year but then in December, I sold almosthalf my inventory! Go figure.... Well, I'm out of time, so, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Rick DrewAvatar MeteoritesAlamo, CaliforniaIMCA 3466

Page 17: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

One of Rick Drew's Sikhote-Alin meteorites (Photo courtesy ofRick Drew)

Don Edwards

Hi Anne,

For the meteorite...

I started collecting meteorites while still doing amateur astronomy. The local "telescope shop" had a fewspecimens for sale, mostly from Robert Haag, and I bought a few including of course, Odessa. However,at the time, it was mostly just a "curiosity" and not a major interest.

After a while I started looking for meteorites from other sources. What "hooked" me was one that Ipurchased a year or so after beginning the collection. It was a nice specimen of Bluff (A) and when Ilooked it up in the old "Blue Book", I saw that it was found by the brother of my Great-Grandfather.

That's mine! It was found by a member of my family. I was "Hooked!"

I now have 3 different pieces of Bluff (A), and my major interests are Texas specimens (OK, I live inTexas) and planetaries (remember that my astronomy interest was what led to my first meteorite).

Bluff-1, my first specimen, 60.6g from Russ Kempton (Photocourtesy of Don Edwards)

Page 18: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Bluff-2, my largest, 428g from Sharon Cisneros (Photocourtesy of Don Edwards)

Don EdwardsIMCA 6527

Dick Lipke

The same goes for me. When meteorites became a fascination for me the first photo of the Sikhote-Alinwas automatically the image I had in mind of what a meteorite should look like. Of course I eventuallyfound out they are very much like humans. They come in all shapes, all sizes and all colors.

My first, my favorite also, the Sikhote-Alin!

Dick LipkeIMCA 1155

Conclusion:

So far the meteorite most likely to "hook" newcomers and make collectors out of them is certainly Sikhote-Alin. So let's close this month's Insights with a picture of a nice Sikhote-Alin. Or better yet, Two Sikhote-Alin in "as found" condition, thanks to the Vernadsky Institute.

But please keep on sending your responses to me and who knows? Maybe things will change.

Page 19: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Two Sikhote-Alin meteorites in "as found" condition (Photocourtesy of Anne Black)

This article has been compiled and edited by Anne Black and Norbert Classen

• IMCA Home Page • IMCA Code of Ethics • IMCA Member List• Join IMCA • IMCA Meteorite Info

Page 20: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineNWA 5426 R4by John Kashuba

NWA 5426 is a Rumuruti type chondrite. Most R chondrites show brecciation, though Rumuruti itself doesnot. They have a somewhat high ratio of matrix to chondrules and very little metallic nickel-iron.Chondrules tend not to be the fully melted types (barred, radial, cryptocrystalline and glassy) but, as you’llsee below, there are exceptions. Here are close-ups of a slice of another R chondrite and then a shorttour of NWA 5426 in thin section.

A polished slice of a brecciated R chondrite. The piece is 4 cm wide.

Page 21: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

A close-up of the same slice. Lower right - a light colored lithology. Top right – dark matrix.Top left – a fine grained, chondrule poor lithology. Scattered - several smaller dark clasts.

Photo taken in both incident light and transmitted cross polarized light. The upper right

Page 22: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

portion appears more altered that the rest.

Large and small mineral fragments and a variety of chondrules.

Page 23: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Chondrule with a thin rim.

Mineral fragment with a poikilitic texture. Orange chondrule has a coarse barred form.

Page 24: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Compound barred chondrule surrounded by a dark jacket.

Page 25: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

A variety of mineral fragments and chondrules.

Closer.

Page 26: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Closer.

Page 27: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineBrix and Hopper – The World Famous Meteorite Hunting Caninesby Editor

This feature is devoted to personalities within the meteorite community. This month we are delighted toshare an interview we had with the world famous meteorite hunting canines Brix and Hopper.

The meteorite hunting teams of Ruben Garcia & Hopper, and Brix & Sonny Clary

How old were you when you first became interested in meteorites?

I just turned three in April so I started at a very young age.

I first became interested in meteorites when one landed in my yard in West, Texas on Feb 15,2009. However, since I was adopted by my former owner and bought by my current master (RubenGarcia) no one is really sure of my age. I do have lots of energy and most people seem to think I am stillyoung.

Page 28: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Hopper purchase receipt.

Have you two ever gone out hunting together and if so how many times?

Actually we have never met. I have read about Hopper and admire her work.

No, we have never met but I did see Brix on the Meteorite Men show - I wonder if he saw me?

Photo Credit: Susanne Morrison - Rubenand Hopper on the Meteorite Men Show.

Page 29: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Can you tell us something about how you hunt? Is it mostly smell or is it by a combination of yoursenses?

The training program I use focuses mostly on the sense of smell but also sight. I have to gothrough a lot to earn a chance to play with a tennis ball.

I have been the most successful when my “fetch” instinct is activated. Every time a meteoritefalls from the sky, I get an insatiable urge to chase it, pick it up and bring it home. Now that I think about it,my master Ruben must have the same instinct!

What kind of training program did you have to go through to become the world's first meteorite huntingcanines?

My owner has spent countless hours working with me. I began with basic obedience training at 5Months of age. My owner uses some of the same techniques they use for cadaver dog training to teachme to find meteorites by sense of smell.

I haven’t had much training and I’ve only found one meteorite.

Do you get a commission on the meteorites you find or do your masters just give you a doggie treat?

I much prefer treats and tennis balls over meteorites.

I found a $10,000 meteorite and got a steak dinner in a doggie bag.

Have you ever discussed how the meteorites would be divided up that you find?

My owner keeps plenty of them laying around. I prefer the thrill of the hunt rather than collecting

Page 30: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

meteorites.

Brix with his Mifflin 205 gram meteorite found 82 hours after the fall.

No, I am pretty content with whatever he wants to give me.

Page 31: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Nick Garcia and Ruben Garcia with Hopper and recent finds.

What is your favorite kind of meteorite?

Fresh ones with a nice smell.

Currently it would have to be a Martian meteorite called Nakhla. However, if one is ever discoveredfrom Pluto that would be my favorite.

I have to ask this because it comes up occasionally even with people... What do meteorites taste like?

Have you ever tasted those disgusting doggy vitamins from the pet health food store? I thinkmeteorites taste better than that.

Honestly, I have “wolfed down” one or two - they didn’t taste much different than regular rocks.

Page 32: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Have you buried a meteorite you really liked so your master could not take it away and sell it?

I prefer to dig holes just to see what I can find. I usually don't bury things. I like to roll in the dirt andscratch my back. Sometimes I take a nap in the warm sand.

No, he doesn’t give me much access to his meteorites since I swallowed that last one.

Are there any meteorites that you think are really special that you would be especially excited torecover?

Camel Dunga, I mean Donga.

My master and I would both be foaming at the mouth if we had the opportunity to recover morefragments of the “Hopper” Iron meteorite. It was found in 1889 in Virginia and is classified as an IIIAB.

Do you plan on making meteorite hunting a full time occupation or are their other things in your futureplans.

I have been trying to promote myself on the Las Vegas Strip to get some side work. So far no onehas offered me any work, they just want to take my picture.

Page 33: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Brix panhandling on the Las Vegas Strip.

I like meteorite hunting but would hunt just about anything my master wanted to hunt.

What kind of recreation do you enjoy on your off hours when you are not hunting.

Errr chasing cats. Oops, I meant to say I really enjoy running on a nice sandy beach as fast as Ican run. I especially like to fetch sticks, balls and my favorite orange toy.

Page 34: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Brix at his favorite Oregon beach.

I LOVE to chase cats, cattle, rabbits and even other dogs.

Have you ever had any close calls while out hunting?

I love riding on the back of the ATV. Occasionally I have rolled off of the ATV when my ownerexecutes a quick maneuver after thinking he just spotted a Lunar. Ughhh..... I am pretty good at HangingTen or would that be twenty as we traverse the desert terrain. I also like to shriek loudly when the ATVstarts up. Some people look at me really strangely when I do this. I always want to be the first one on topof the ATV. I have learned that I never want to be left behind in the field. I once took off chasing one ofthose pesky jack rabbits with the long ears. Those rabbits like to provoke me and try to engage my preydrive. I learned quickly after I chased one that it is better to stay with my Pack.

Page 35: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Brix on a Nevada meteorite hunt.

I have had several close calls in Texas. For example, I’m sure there are a couple of "Texas LongHorns" that would have loved to make me their pin cushion. One of the scariest episodes was being shotat by an angry farmer after he spotted me on his property.

Do you have any funny or interesting stories you would like to share with our readers?

I do have a funny story to share. As I travel across the back country roads of Nevada my ownerSonny and I have had some crazy adventures. We have met some unique characters in rural Nevada.

One of my favorites is Peg Leg John. He lives in northern Nevada and makes his living hunting for quartzcrystals. While we were visiting John my owner had the opportunity to spend a couple of hoursexchanging stories. One of John's favorite stories is about his encounter with a male African Lion.

John was sitting in his trailer drinking coffee one morning when he looked out the kitchen window andspotted something unusual. He was greeted by an African Lion that was standing on the side of the trailerand peering in the window. The Lion even pressed his face up to the window to look inside. You canimagine what was going through John's head at that moment. I being a brave dog would have attackedthat Lion without hesitation. My owner on the other hand would have probably fainted and met anunfortunate end.

Page 36: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Peg Leg John and Brix.

John remained calm and tried not to move during those few minutes that seemed like hours. The Liondisappeared just as quickly as he had appeared. John sat down in his window seat and thought to himself"what just happened?" Why was there an African Lion loose in the Nevada desert? John decided to drivetown and report the sighting. You can rest assured before he exited that travel trailer he checked carefullyout each window to verify there was no Lion in sight. He did not want to become someone's lunch ordinner. John started to drive towards town. He came across a couple standing outside their car on theside of the road. The couple explained the story about the Lion.

The Lion had been rescued from a Zoo. He was later given to an animal sanctuary near Lake Tahoe,Nevada. The Lion had been ill for some time and the Sanctuary owners decided to release him into thewild to spend his dying days free as he was when he was born. John never spotted the Lion again. TheLion did let his presence be known for weeks following the encounter. At night the Lion would roar in thecanyons above Peg Leg John's home. No one knows what ever became of that Lion.

Page 38: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O
Page 39: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorite Times MagazineCanyon Diablo Iron Coconino Co., Arizonaby Editor

Highly sculptured, lightly cleaned 173 gram Canyon Diablo Iron, Coconino Co., Arizona,Discovered 1891.

Page 41: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O
Page 42: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O
Page 43: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Meteorites.tvLabenne Meteorites

catchafallingstar.com Nakhla Dog Meteorites

Michael Blood Meteorites Impactika

meteoritelabels.com Membrane Boxes Meteorites For Sale .com

Rocks from Heaven Aerolite Meteorites ForSale

Midwest Meteorites

Big Kahuna Meteorites Avatar Meteorites Advertise Here

Meteorite-Times MagazineMeteorite-Times Sponsorsby Editor

Gefällt mir Registrieren, um sehen zu können, was deinen Freunden gefällt.

Please support Meteorite-Times by visiting our sponsors websites. Click the links below to opentheir website in a new tab / window.

Page 44: Meteorite Times Magazineedition of Catalogue of Meteorites. However, the story was absent in the first edition published some 30 years early and still six decades after the fall. O

Once a few decades ago this opening

was a framed window in the wall

of H. H. Nininger's Home and

Museum building. From this

window he must have many times

pondered the mysteries of

Meteor Crater seen in the distance.

Photo by © 2010 James Tobin