[meteorite-list] Meteorite Fall in Georgia?
Ron Baalke
baalke at zagami.jpl.nasa.gov
Fri Nov 10 11:16:40 EST 2006
Fri Nov 10 11:16:40 EST 2006
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=5657715&nav=5kZQ
Piece of the cosmos in Valdosta?
WALB News (Georgia)
November 9, 2006
Valdosta - Astronomers at Valdosta State University are studying a rock
they believe could be a meteorite.
The rock was brought in by two Valdosta residents who say they saw a
blue light and the rock fall out of the sky, almost hitting their car.
Professor Martha Leake says the rock is magnetic and has a ragged
texture and odd density. She is currently testing the rock for nickel,
iron, and other components usually found in meteorites.
If the tests come back positive, she says the meteorite will most likely
bare the name of Valdosta. "The meteorites are usually named for the
place they are found. This is Henbury Australia, Odessa Texas and if
it's found here in Valdosta, it could be called the Valdosta Georgia
Meteorite," says Professor Leake.
They expect the test results to come back in a month.
Update
01/26/07
The reporter of this story, Alicia Eakin, was very helpful. She wrote that
testing proved the object was not a meteorite. It "seemed to be something
from a railroad, perhaps rail grindings". I had also attempted to contact
Professor Martha Leake who reportedly tested the object. Prof. Leake did
not bother to answer my emails.
K Newton
