About Meteorites

The first thing I think of when I hear someone ask about meteorites from the Moon is the way they differ from the Moon rocks returned by the Apollo astronauts. With the exception of two tiny pieces of rock hardly bigger than grains of sand, each of the Apollo astronauts

Meteorite hunting is becoming a popular activity in recent years. Promoted by wonderful TV programs like the Meteorite Men is a growing outdoor recreation activity. But, where did it start? That is a hard question. For one reason or another, meteorites have always been picked up by man. Originally it

An article was recently printed about metal beads made from meteorites being found in the ancient Gerzeh cemetery in Egypt. This is not a new story, the cosmic origin of the iron has been known for many decades. In fact articles were published in the early portion of the previous

To me nothing quite beats for beauty and interest a slice of a primitive chondrite. I could look at type 3 chondrites for hours. Meteorites like Ragland, Semarkona, and Begga they just hit the spot for me. Close behind are a few Carbonaceous Chondrites for example Axtell, Allende, and others

This month I go about as far-a-field as I ever have. For a few years now I have been finding creative ways to use the dust from meteorites that accumulates in the bottom of the saws and lap. Thus far I have made inks, paints, glazes for ceramic pieces and

With the Phoenix probe now on Mars digging and cooking away it seemed appropriate to write something on Martian meteorites this month. It has been decades since specimens of Mars were analyzed the way they are now by Phoenix. As meteorite collectors we have a debt to the Viking missions.

This month has been filled with so many non meteorite activities that it has been really hard to find time to write an article. But, on the meteorite list there was an email about metallic spheroids from Barringer Meteorite Crater (Meteor Crater). This gave me an idea for a short

Nininger’s Old Meteorite Museum I will write an article upon our return that tells our story of this year’s show, but for my regular article this month I wanted to take a little different direction and visit Nininger’s Old Museum. Over the years I have stopped by the building many

Before beginning any discussion of cutting meteorites it is always prudent to make mention of what rare things they are. Meteorites are among the rarest objects on the Earth. So some care and concern should be exercised when doing anything to them. I will not be around for more than