[meteorite-list] Re: My First Hunt + Gold Basin Data

From: Donald O'Keeffe <donald.okeeffe_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:37:36 2004
Message-ID: <3A42391B.90E43550_at_signalhill.net>

Dear Geoff and List,

I am aware of the project and I think it's a wonderful idea. Two weeks
ago, I reported all my finds to the Meteorite Recovery Program. I have
yet to receive a response. I sent the data to Jim Kriegh. Should I have
sent it to David Kring?

Sincerely,
Don

geoking_at_notkin.net wrote:

> Dear Don and List:
>
> Don, congrats on your finds at Gold Basin. I've been hunting there
> myself, as have numerous members of the List, and we know how hard it
> is to find meteorites among all those hot rocks.
>
> List members and meteorite hunters Professor Jim Kriegh and Twink
> Monrad, were the first to realize that the Gold Basin stones were
> meteorites, and they initiated an extensive research program in
> association Dr. David Kring of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in
> Oro Valley, Arizona. That program continues to this day, and involves
> recording the weight and location of each Gold Basin find, in order
> that detailed information about the strewn field can be compiled and
> studied by meteoriticists. Twink told me, just today, that she was
> disappointed that so many hunters had failed to supply Dr. Kring with
> data regarding their finds. Gold Basin presents a nearly unique
> opportunity to study an extensive and (initially) untouched strewn
> field.
>
> I interviewed Dr. Kring on this very subject for one of my two
> articles on Gold Basin for "Meteorite!" magazine and he had this to
> say:
>
> ³In addition to laboratory analysis, our goal is to map out the
> distribution of fragments and their mass so that we can calculate the
> height at which the Gold Basin asteroid exploded. This will tell us
> the strength of the asteroid. We do not understand the strengths of
> asteroids. This makes it difficult to assess the collisional hazards
> of these objects and to assess different techniques that might be
> used to deflect asteroids in collisional orbits. Since the Gold Basin
> strewn field may help us in this, it is very important that we
> preserve the site until we have enough information for the necessary
> calculations.²
>
> Don, I wonder if you know about Dr. Kring's research project, and if
> you'd consider furnishing your data to him (forgive me if you have
> already done so). I'd also encourage all others who have made finds
> at Gold Basin to do the same thing. It's very satisfying to know that
> -- in some small way -- one's finds are contributing to the
> advancement of meteorite science, and it's also a rare chance for
> amateurs and professionals to work together.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Geoff Notkin
>
> p.s. If anyone needs precise contact info for Dr. Kring, please
> write to me off-List.
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> Geoffrey Notkin
> Senior Art Director
> Stanegate Studios, USA
> P.O. Box 87, Jersey City, NJ 07303
>
> Telephone: (201) 435-8888
>
> Email: geoking_at_notkin.net ammonite@aol.com
> Web: www.notkin.net
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> We talk about the "whys" and "wherefores"
> Do we really care at all?
> Talk about the frailty of words is rarely meaningful
> When we're sitting watching the planes burn up through the night
> Like meteorites
>
> -- T.V. Smith
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
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Received on Thu 21 Dec 2000 12:08:43 PM PST