[meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)

From: Mark Bowling <minador_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:07:36 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <705172.43266.qm_at_web54507.mail.re2.yahoo.com>

Hi Anne and all,

I haven't seen that title. Do you mean "Field Guide to Meteors and Meteorites"? What I have in mind is a book similar to "The Complete Metalsmith". I haven't seen a book of similar style covering meteorite prep & preservation. Maybe a lot of that material is spread throughout the internet, but so is the stuff covering metalsmithing. I think it would be nice to have it in one handbook.

Best regards,
Mark

--- On Sun, 11/15/09, Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com> wrote:

> From: Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Guide to "Newbies" (was Meteorites & Competition)
> To: minador at yahoo.com, meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Date: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 11:45 AM
> Hello Mark and List,
>
> There is already a book that answers a lot of your
> questions, not all of
> them, but quite a few. It is the Handbook of Meteorites by
> O. Richard Norton.
> I certainly would recommend getting it.
>
> Also I would like to add one thing to the discussion about
> helping new
> meteorite enthusiasts; It is not because you did not see a
> response on the List
> that no help of response was sent. It is often a whole lot
> better to email
> that person privately to ask for additional details to
> narrow down the
> problem, or simply to protect that person from some public
> embarassement. I know I
> probably write 50 private emails for every one posted here.
>
>
> And then we are not all always glued to our computer
> (believe it or not!!),
> personally I have a book (about meteorites of course) to
> translate as
> quickly as possible so it will be available in Tucson.
>
> And Norbert Classen and I have the dubious honor of having
> to answer every
> question that comes in on the IMCA questions email address.
> Also time
> consuming.
>
> And right now I have a whole lot of snow to shovel!!!
> Have a nice day.
>
> Anne M. Black
> _http://www.impactika.com/_ (http://www.impactika.com/)
> _IMPACTIKA at aol.com_
> (mailto:IMPACTIKA at aol.com)
>
> Vice-President, I.M.C.A. Inc.
> _http://www.imca.cc/_ (http://www.imca.cc/)
>
>
>
> In a message dated 11/15/2009 8:30:51 AM Mountain Standard
> Time,
> minador at yahoo.com
> writes:
> Dear List,
>
> I think Adam has some great points.? I think people
> forget how rare these
> things are.? Prices often don't reflect that.
>
> I think people are more likely to give advice when a
> "newbie" asks
> something like, I've ruined several slices trying to do
> such & such, I've tried A
> and B, what else should I do.? it shows that they're
> paying their dues, but
> need a little advice which they can probably absorb
> quickly, saving an
> "expert's" time.? The sad thing is that a few
> slices/specimens have been ruined
> (maybe from "cheap, common NWA" material, but very rare,
> finite material
> nonetheless).
>
> How do you balance the protection of trade secrets and your
> business vs.
> the ideal of preserving this wonderful material?? I
> suppose there are
> techniques which are common in parallel fields like
> lapidary, which one can assume
> they'll figure it out the hard way (both hard on their
> time/wallet but also
> hard on meteorites).? I would say one should be
> somewhat eager to help in
> that case, since keeping quiet won't deter them but only
> make possible the
> damage of more specimens.? However, offering help
> takes precious time, busy
> people lack.
>
> What about the possibility of a guidebook highlighting some
> of these
> "common" things?? The first person(s) with the ability
> to write said tome could
> profit from the book sales, and many novices would benefit
> from the tips.?
> Sensitive trade secrets could be mentioned by name and the
> disclaimer given
> that you will have to experiment at the peril of your
> collection and finances -
> or maybe find a willing mentor.?
>
> The book would have to be relatively comprehensive -
> covering the common
> things which can be found in a lapidary book, but from a
> meteorite point of
> view (there might be possibility of tips like "it's wise to
> practice this
> technique using sandstone(?)? because it approximates
> XYZ meteorites very well,
> and you can rest assured that your learning curve isn't
> busting the bank").?
> And it would also cover the meteorites specific topics like
> chemicals/oils
> to avoid, etc.? Maybe some explanations of the
> different textures you will
> encounter in meteorites.? Maybe a section on thin
> sections, epoxy plugs, and ?
>
> There might be room for general things like an explanation
> meteorite
> classifications, collecting strategies, strategies for
> documenting a collection of
> specimens, a list of common vendors, etc.? There are
> lots of interesting,
> useful things that could be added that I can't
> imagine.? Of course, you would
> have to have environmental, health and safety concerns
> highlighted and
> repeated throughout the book!
>
> I know this may sound a little out in left field, but it
> would help with
> the overall conservation of specimens and/or reduce poor,
> albeit, harmless
> results (as well as be an opportunity to make some
> money).? Could it result in
> increased completion?? Probably so, but those rushing
> head long into the
> wilderness probably can't be stopped anyway.? And
> those who are inspired by the
> book may take a stab at it, but realize it's expensive,
> hard work and go
> back to only buying/trading/collecting.? This book may
> exist, but I don't
> think so.? I can think of a few books which explain
> etching and nickel testing,
> but I can't think of anything which comprehensively covers
> the preservation
> and preparation of meteorite? specimens.
>
> Personally, I will always choose to buy from a handful of
> dealers held in
> high regard, who have invaluable reputations to protect (or
> middlemen I trust
> as friends I can trust).? And some field hunters I
> know.? I've decided to
> avoid attractive specimens of questionable pedigree, unless
> I'm willing to
> make the often expensive choice to advertise them as
> "believed to be XYZ
> specimen".???So this book would not?
> cause the big dealers to lose my (rare)
> business.? When a "newbie" asks a question, you can
> point them to the "Bible".
>
> So what do you guys think?? Crazy??
> Brilliant?? (Someone with too much time
> on his hands tonight?)? Is this an issue that's
> already on the IMCA "to-do"
> list?? Is this not commercially viable?
>
> (Cricket chirping??)? ;-)
>
> Clear skies,
> Mark
>
>
Received on Sun 15 Nov 2009 08:07:36 PM PST