I have a Large Fist size plus Meteorite!

[bradpat]

Hi all.. I have in my possession a quite large Meteorite about the size of a clenched fist but a lot bigger.
We collected it in our back yard in the early 70's and have held it ever since.

In the 70's/80's my father had it checked out by the South Australian Museum in Adelaide to check out that it was in fact a Meteorite and they confirmed and offered to buy it which he declined.. which now I an grateful for!!

It is Jet Black in color and weighs a lot.. not keen on selling or giving away but would like to know what it is worth as thinking of encasing it in a display cabinet for keepsake.

I will be uploading pics tomorrow night (FRI 06 Dec) for all to check out..:)

[JB80]

Can't wait to see the pics.

Do you have anymore details from the museum like what type it is?
Jet black could suggest an iron meteorite. How heavy exactly is it, that would determine a lot for value.

I have a small collection but none I have found myself or the size of a fist.
Was it found in Adelaide? Which area?
Sorry for the questions I'm just curious is all. :D

[PCH]

"....about the size of a clenched fist, but a lot bigger!"...... hmmm:screwy:

[graham.hobart]

it's the Hulk's fist- much bigger !!

[wayne anderson]

I would really like to see photo’s of your meteorite and a description of how you managed find it in your back yard, I think the story behind how you find a meteorite is just as exciting as seeing photo’s of it.

To hold it in your hand pass it to others to look at as you relate the experience of how you found it is very encouraging.

I have posted a link below to a post detailing how I found a meteorite, for me it was so exciting to be there at the exact time and point of impact, the noise from it impacting the roof only metres from my head and then seeing it fall from the stainless steel roof louvers after cooling was amazing.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=718344&postcount=18

looking forward to seeing your photos.

[Max Vondel]

A Magnet should tell you if it's a Nickel-Iron (most easily found)
Most meteorite are Chondrites which are stoney meteorites
The surface colour doesn't indicate much as I have both Chondrites and Nickel-Irons with black crust
You'll need to slice it to find out more
If it's a piece on Moon expect about $5000- US per gram
Unfortunately it is illegal to export Australian found meteorites without a special export permit.
Still you are holding a piece of the Heavens!

Enjoy
:thumbsup:

[bradpat]

Hi guys, please help me here..I have taken a pic and is ready to upload but cannot work it out? Says insert URL >??

Thanks in advance, keen to show this as it inspired my kids and will do to others as well.. wonder how old it is..could be millions/trillions tears old..who knows!

thanks in advance, as soon as I find out how to I will be uploading a pic of our Meteorite. We have named it PS75 , being the first two letters of our street name at the time and the year we found it. (1975)

Thanks in Advance!

[cybereye]

Try the Manage Attachments button... then Choose File...

[bradpat]

I was only five years old when my dad picked this one up..still I remember it and have never forgotten! Pic is on its way :-)

[pluto]

click the little paperclip button

[bradpat]

Thanks guys, with help from fellow members worked it out! See the pic, I will add some more :-)

[bradpat]

Hi, Elizabeth Downs, South Australia 1975. I have uploaded a pic with a tape measure for size, and yes it is quite heavy. :-)

[leinad]

They didn't even offer to classify it? Be nice to have an official classification for the find.

Why not hit them up again to classify it if they have spare time; surprised they didn't ask, unless they did and he declined to let them slice it?

[bradpat]

Yes..thinking the same thing...thinking of heading down to Science works Planetarium and get them to check it out also.I know my Dad took it to the Museum of SA in Adelaide and it checked out.

Any other suggestions where I should take it is appreciated to close it once and for all but with me holding it, looking closely at it, the weight , the circumstances with the find all ticks the boxes.
The end of the day a pic is a pic and I would really love to know it's origins and potential worth. :-)

Actually at the time they asked my Dad to donate it to them when they checked it out and thankfully he declined! I wish I knew where EXACTLY he took it too..either Adelaide Museum or the Planetarium Centre which was near our home at the time so not sure.

[leinad]

Try Dr Andy Tomkins at Monash. :thumbsup:

[sjastro]

If you want to check the sample out try the following.

(1) The flow chart test (refer attachment).

(2) If it meets the criteria
Send your image to korotev@wustl.edu (Randy L Korotev Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Washington University)

If you are willing to spend a bit of money send the sample to an analytical lab to do an XRF (x-ray fluorescence) test to measure the amount of nickel in the sample. The advantage with the test is that it is non destructive. The nickel content in all type of meteorites is around 4-30%.
Earth rocks by comparison even if classified as nickel ore is no more than 1.8%.

Regards

Steven

[tlgerdes]

Steven, the only problem with your flow chart revolves around "Did someone see it fall?" the only answer that leads somewhere is YES, you can't select NO.

[Nikolas]

regmaglyps?

[AstroFlyer]

http://meteorites.wustl.edu/id/regmaglypts.htm

[sjastro]

It's not the most logical part of the flow chart.
The background for the statement is found here (http://www.meteoritemarket.com/metid2.htm).

Regards

Steven

[bradpat]

Interesting...thanks for that had a look...you may be correct.