[meteorite-list] Meteorite Fragments in India Turn Out to be Coal

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri Aug 4 12:23:14 2006
Message-ID: <200608041531.IAA26661_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1849992.cms

Meteorite buzz keeps city awake
Times of India
August 4, 2006

RAJKOT: Was it raining 'meteorite fragments' again on Wednesday night
and that too in one particular locality? When excited residents,
including mayor Dhansukh Bhanderi, landed up at the spot and forensic
science laboratory officials checked the fragments, the meteorite
alarm turned out to be false.

There is no lull in the excitement surrounding meteorite fragments in
Rajkot. On Wednesday night, word spread like wildfire that meteorite
pieces had been found at a bungalow on Kalawad Road area.

Eventually, the fragments turned out be nothing but pieces of coal
possibly thrown by a girl from a neighbouring house.

And it was not just thousands of people who rushed across, a large
number of politicians and officials, including municipal standing
committee chairman Nitin Bhardwaj, chief fire officer RK Maheshwari
and mamlatdar AV Bhojani, also reached the spot.

Jashubha Gadhvi, security guard of the closed bungalow, informed the
fire brigade office on Nirmala Convent Road, about the black stone
pieces found from the courtyard. The officials inspected the entire
society, but the pieces were found in one bungalow only.

While inspecting the society, officials found a bucket full of coal
on the terrace of an adjoining bungalow. Upon inquiring, officials
learnt that a seven-year-old girl, Riddhi Pala, threw pieces of coals
at the closed bungalow belonging to Ishwarbhai Mansata, who shifted
to Mumbai few years ago.

It's not quite clear why the little girl had been flinging coal in
her neighbourhood. Several other claims on meteorite pieces came
pouring in from different parts of Saurashtra-Kutch region, ever
since authorities announced that residents should inform them
about 'strange substances.'
Received on Fri 04 Aug 2006 11:31:40 AM PDT