QLD Meteorite custody battle

[kinetic (Steve)]

Apologies if this is a duplicate post:

I always thought meteorite finds were officially
the property of the Commonwealth anyway...

Seems that state by state the 'law' varies.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/s...005962,00.html

[Bobbyoutback]

I've seen the photo of this magnificent specimen , by the look of the fusion crust its only been on earth for less then 200 years considering the climate where it was found .

If a third of it was donated to the appropriate museum after classification the remanding mass could be worth from $4 to $25 a gram to collectors worldwide , the maths at the higher rate work out at 17 kilos equals 17,000 grams = $425,000 .

There are heaps of stony meteorites laying out in the bush , few people can identify them .

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I wouldn't mind stubbing my toe on one.

[Bobbyoutback]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I wouldn't mind stubbing my toe on one.

There out waiting for you , your lucky to be in QLD as its legal in your state to hunt & own them .

Check out Australia's best site for meteorite types

http://www.meteorites.com.au/home.html

Cheers Bobby.

[Astro78]

Originally Posted by kinetic

I always thought meteorite finds were officially
the property of the Commonwealth anyway...

According to one of my Uni geology professors (Uhm Dr.) it's the land owners or leasee -but not the same if you discover alluvial gold for example, where you only get a share. The queen if i recall the convo, owns most of the claim. That being said they can (but never do!) "take" the specimen for a period of 12 months if of scientific value, but you get it back.
I've gotten to know a few of these geology folk lately and they're simply too good a people to do this to anyone. They know it hold back their opportunity to have a peek and therefore just get agreement before hand - plus give 'em a small sample if still unsure.
Find one from mars and forget going to work tomorrow! ! !

[Jen]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I wouldn't mind stubbing my toe on one.

yeah after swearing for 10minutes after

[Bobbyoutback]

Originally Posted by Astro78

Find one from mars and forget going to work tomorrow! ! !

Always remember the story of the rock hound that found two rocks in a Californian desert , took them home & just left in his garage for almost 20 years before getting them checked out .
That guy is now very rich !

http://marzmeteorite.tripod.com/la/losangel.htm