[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Micrometeorites in Rain Gutters



Hi, Ginger:

Here's my two centavos: The idea of collecting micro-meteorites in rain
gutters has been floating around since the 1950s at least. I recall reading
an Isaac Asimov science-fact article about it in an old issue "Fantasy &
Science Fiction" magazine.

My guess--and I never actually looked at gutter detritus under a 'scope--is
that between the asphalt-fiber glass roof shingle debris and organic matter
which collects in gutters (unless you have a slate, metal or terra cotta
roof which might produce a distinctive erosional product(?)), it should be
somewhat "easy" to identify one--depending on having the luck of finding
particles in your gutter.  I am skeptical that your gutter would be brimming
with the stuff (in fact I know it isn't).  But if you search regularly after
rains over a long period of time, you may turn up something (irons would be
easy to spot I should think).  

>

LOUIS VARRICCHIO
Environmental Information Specialist/Research Associate
 Upper Midwest Aerospace Consortium
 Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
 University of North Dakota
 Grand Forks, N.D. 58202-9007
   Phone: 701-777-2482
   Fax: 701-777-2940
   E-mail: varricch@umac.org (in N.D.)
              morbius@together.net (in Vt.)

"Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get."--Robert Heinlein 

----------
Archives located at:
http://www.meteoritecentral.com/list_best.html

For help, FAQ's and sub. info. visit:
http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing_list.html
----------