Off topic but...

[Goodrat]

Someone here should know.
This fell out of the sky and hit my friends house. Could it be worth something?
It weighs 11.75 lbs.

[Goodrat]

close up




Close look at one end.

[Carl-NC]

Re: Off topic but...

>Could it be worth something?

Possibly quite a bit. I would contact a university for an analysis, see the link.

- Carl



Click Here

[Goodrat]

Re: Off topic but...

Thank's Carl.
Just for kicks, give us a range? I've seen little pieces go for about $3,000.

[Beachcomber]

Very Cool but wouldn't a Meteorite of that size gone right through the house?

Traveling at close to 30 miles per second I would think a rock that size should have a lot of energy behind it when it hit!!! Anyway I hope it turns out to be real and very valuable!!!!

HH

Beachcomber

[Goodrat]

Re: Very Cool but wouldn't a Meteorite of that size gone right through the house?

Good point!
Maybe it scimmed something, or bounced.

[Russ_NY]

Re: close up

Wow
It sure looks like it might be one. It is my understanding that there are two basic types of meteorites. one is mostly iron and nickel,, and the other more like just stone. I have heard that they can be very valuable. I would be extremely cautious about parting with it till I was sure exactly what it was.
Good Luck
Russ_NY

[Beachcomber]

Re: Very Cool but wouldn't a Meteorite of that size gone right through the house?

That could be!!! Hope it turns out to be the real thing!!!!!!!! Keep us posted

HH

Beachcomber

[Reg]

Re: Off topic but...

I would definitely have the rock checked to be sure. All meteorites are valuable, with some considerably more valuable than others.

Some friends of mine found one much smaller than the one in the pic and it was finally appraised at about $23,000, which isn't bad for a rock.

Others of less size have been valued at about a $ million or so. It all depends upon just what type of meteorite it is and where it came from.

There are 3 basic types of meteorites, stony, iron-stony and iron. From the pic, it is difficult to tell just what that one might be. However, if I had to guess, I would guess it to be a stony type.

To be sure, the rock should be evaluated by a source capable of authenticating it. If it is a meteorite, and is authenticated, it will be much more valuable.

In the meantime, it is wise to not cut, wash, or otherwise tamper with it. Many things people generally do can degrade the value considerably.

There are several reliable sources that can authenticate a meteorite, including O. Richard Norton, the author of "Rocks from Space". Generally, Norton will usually make a preliminary evaluation and if he is relatively sure it is a meteorite he will then send a sample to UCLA for verification and authentication. Last time I talked to him, his fee was a small sample of the meteorite for his collection.

Some non-profit groups will require a sample as payment for the analysis. Private experts generally charge a fee and maybe a sample also as payment for an evaluation.

BTW, about 95% of all meteorites of any size that are found will produce a response on a metal detector. Most meteorites will also be attracted to a strong magnet.

Hope this helps.

Reg

[Goodrat]

Iron content

It is as heavy as iron, but only slighty attracted to a magnet. That's a good sign I think. Could be nickel.

Rick

[James (Nevada)]

Re: Off topic but...

I have sent samples to Mr. Rubin at UCLA and he responds in a timely manner.

[Eric Foster]

Re: Off topic but...

Looks like a stony type to me. The reddish colour is interesting. If it turned out that it originated on Mars, it could be very valuable in view of the previous Martian meteorite that had structures indicating biological matter. Definitely get it checked. I would get a receipt too, as interesting items sometimes get "lost".

Eric.