Meteorites are natural objects that originate in outer space. They fall on the Earth and survive the impact. Meteorites are found in various sizes. They are classified based on their composition as stony meteorites, iron meteorites and stony – iron meteorites. Meteorites keep falling all over the globe. But it is not easy to find them. Only 3,500 kilo grams were found in Antarctica after 25 years of successive expeditions by experts from the United States of America and Japan. Genuine meteorites fetch a very good price in the international market. They sell for thousands of dollars per gram. There is a huge demand by universities and scientific community. Hunting for these “remnants of the other world” is literally a treasure hunt. Some people love the adventure involved in the expedition.
Here are some useful tips on how to search for meteorites:
-The chances of finding a meteorite are high in a strewn field. Strewn field is the area where the meteorites would have fallen. “Notron Book” by O Richard Norton contains valuable information on known strewn fields. It is a good idea to study this book before taking up the expedition.
-It is better to be aware of what to expect. Information on how the meteorite looks and what its properties are will be of immense help. Consulting experts in the field, visiting museums and online auction sites will help in getting this information.
-It is better to select strewn fields in deserts and dry lake beds. It is easier to find meteorites in these areas as they are free of other natural rocks. Oman is a bank of meteorites. Meteorites can be found in abundance in the Antarctica and Sahara desert. They have also been discovered in Russia, China, Australia, North America and South America.
-It is very important to carry necessary equipments like maps, metal detector, Earth magnet, GPS device, small pick Axe, hammer, shovel and other outdoor gear (water, food, rope, knife, backpack, waist pack, first aid kit, etc). After reaching a strewn field, Earth magnets or metal detectors help in finding meteorites. It is also a good idea to carry a GPS device. This helps in recording the spots where meteorites were found. It is important and ethical to keep records for verification and naming purposes in the future. Meteorite hunters should be slow while searching and should cover a lot of ground. There should be no limit for patience. A keen observational eye is most necessary while searching for these extra terrestrial materials.
-Robots can help in search for meteorites. Experts have used them in the past successfully, especially in Antarctica. But it is expensive.
Meteorites are all around us. Meteorite hunters are more likely to be successful in their search if they remember the above mentioned tips.
Reference:
www.britannica.com
www.saharamet.com
geology.cwru.edu
www.meteoritesusa.com
www.desertusa.com
www.frc.ri.cmu.edu
