This article describes how the on-site findings to determine – a simple before you a rock, a meteorite or other natural rarity of these later in the text. Of instruments and tools will need paper, pencil, strong (at least 8x) magnifying glass and a compass, preferably a good camera and GSM-Navigator. Even a small garden or a sapper shovel. Chemicals and hammer with a chisel is not required, but you need a plastic bag and soft packaging material.
Meteorites and their "imitators" have great scientific value and legislation of the Russian Federation are equal to treasures. If found, after evaluation by experts, gets the reward.
However, if the discovery to delivery in a scientific institution were subjected to chemical, mechanical, thermal and other unauthorized influences its value abruptly at times, and many times, decreases. For scientists, greater importance may be rare speleothems minerals on the surface of the sample and its pristine insides.
Treasure hunters-"prey", the self-cleaning to "commodity" type finding and smashing it on the Souvenirs, not only harm science, but also much deprived. Therefore, the following paragraphs describe how to obtain more than 95% confidence in the values found, still not touching it.
Meteorites fly into the earth's atmosphere at a speed of 11-72 km/s. At the same time they start to melt. The first sign of extraterrestrial origin findings – the bark is melting, color and texture different from the inside. But the iron, zhelezorudnye and stone meteorites of different types of crust melting are different.
Small iron meteorites as a whole take the form of elliptical or arched, somewhat reminiscent of a bullet or artillery shell (POS. 1 in the figure). In any case, the surface of the suspected "stone" smooth as fashioned from clay, POS. 2. If the sample also has a bizarre shape (Fig.3), it could be a meteorite, and a piece of native iron, which is even more valuable.
Fresh bark is melting, bluish-black (POS. 1,2,3,7,9). Have long lain in the ground an iron meteorite it eventually oxidizes and changes color (POS. 4 and 5), and zhelezorudnye can be like normal rust (POS. 6). This often misleads searchers, especially because the relief of the melting zhelezorudnye meteorite to enter the atmosphere at speeds close to the minimum, may be expressed poorly (Fig. 6).
In this case, it will be able to get the compass. Hold it close to the sample if needle points to "stone", it is likely to contain iron meteorite. Iron nuggets, too, "magnett", but they are extremely rare and absolutely do not rust.
The stone and zhelezorudnye meteorites crust melting is heterogeneous, but portions of it are already visible to the naked eye some elongation in one direction (POS. 7). Stone meteorites often break up in flight. If the destruction occurred during the final phase of the trajectory on the ground can drop their fragments without crust melting. However, in this case exposed their internal structure, unlike any terrestrial minerals (Ref. 8).
If the sample has cleavage, to define a meteorite or not, in the middle latitudes at a glance: bark melting differs sharply from the inside (POS. 9). Accurately show the origin of the crust viewing under a magnifying glass: if the bark is visible wavy pattern (Fig. 10), and the cleavage – the so-called organized elements (POS. 11), it is probably a meteorite.
In the desert can be misled by so-called " desert tan stone. Also in the desert a strong wind and thermal erosion, which ribs are of ordinary stone can be smoothed. The meteorite is the effect of the desert climate can smooth wavy pattern, and desert tan tighten the chip.
In the tropical zone of external influence on the rocks is so strong that meteorites on the surface of the soil soon become difficult to distinguish from simple stones. In such cases, to help gain confidence in the finding may approximate determination of their specific gravity after removal from the occurrence.
To find retained value, its location shall be documented. To do this:
· GSM, if there is a Navigator, define and record the geographic coordinates.
· Photographed from different angles, from afar and near (in different angles like say photographers), trying to capture all the remarkable near the sample. For scale next to boon lay a ruler or object of known size (lens cap, match box, tin can, etc.)
· Draw a rough sketch (schematic plan of the place of occurrence without scale), indicating azimuths on a compass on nearby landmarks (towns, survey marks, conspicuous hills, etc.), with visual assessment of the distance to them.
You can now proceed with the seizure. First prokativaet side of the "stone" transeco and see how its length changes the kind of soil. The discovery should be removed along with the sinter around her, and in any case – in a layer of soil not less than 20 mm. Often chemical changes around the meteorite, scientists value more than him.
Carefully digging, put the sample in a bag and pretends to hand him the weight. From meteorites in space "swept" light elements and volatile compounds, so their specific gravity is greater than earth rocks. For comparison, you can dig up and weighed in his hands like the size of a boulder. Even the meteorite in a layer of soil will be much harder.
For a long time lain in the earth, meteorites often outwardly similar geodes – crystallization of the nest in terrestrial rocks. Geodes hollow, so it will be easier for even a common stone. But do not be discouraged: you are lucky, no less. Inside Geode – breeding ground natural quartz, and often precious stones (POS. 12). Therefore, geodes (and iron nuggets) are also treated as treasures.
But to defeat the object suspicious for geodes, in any case should not be. Besides the fact that it is much depreciated, the illegal sale of gems entails criminal liability. Geodes need to deliver in the same facility as a meteorite. If the content has a jewelry value, if found, by law, has the right to appropriate remuneration.
To deliver discovery urgently needs scientific institution, at least in the Museum. And the police, the Charter of the Ministry of interior such case provided. If find too heavy, or scientists with police not very far away, it is better not to withdraw, but to call one or the other. Law the finder is not the reward that does not diminish, and the value of the findings increases.
If you still have to transport yourself, a sample should provide a label. It is necessary to specify the exact time and place of discovery, it is essential, in your opinion, the circumstances of the finds, their name, time and place of birth and address of permanent residence. To the label attached sketches and photos. If the camera is digital, the files it downloaded to the media without any processing, it is better in addition to the computer directly from the camera to the flash drive.
For transporting the sample in a bag wrapped with cotton batting or other soft padding. It is also desirable to place it in a sturdy wooden box, fixing from displacement during transportation. Yourself in any case you need to deliver only to the places where you will be able to arrive by qualified professionals.
What is the essence of the method
Meteorites and their "imitators" have great scientific value and legislation of the Russian Federation are equal to treasures. If found, after evaluation by experts, gets the reward.
However, if the discovery to delivery in a scientific institution were subjected to chemical, mechanical, thermal and other unauthorized influences its value abruptly at times, and many times, decreases. For scientists, greater importance may be rare speleothems minerals on the surface of the sample and its pristine insides.
Treasure hunters-"prey", the self-cleaning to "commodity" type finding and smashing it on the Souvenirs, not only harm science, but also much deprived. Therefore, the following paragraphs describe how to obtain more than 95% confidence in the values found, still not touching it.
External signs
Meteorites fly into the earth's atmosphere at a speed of 11-72 km/s. At the same time they start to melt. The first sign of extraterrestrial origin findings – the bark is melting, color and texture different from the inside. But the iron, zhelezorudnye and stone meteorites of different types of crust melting are different.
Small iron meteorites as a whole take the form of elliptical or arched, somewhat reminiscent of a bullet or artillery shell (POS. 1 in the figure). In any case, the surface of the suspected "stone" smooth as fashioned from clay, POS. 2. If the sample also has a bizarre shape (Fig.3), it could be a meteorite, and a piece of native iron, which is even more valuable.
Fresh bark is melting, bluish-black (POS. 1,2,3,7,9). Have long lain in the ground an iron meteorite it eventually oxidizes and changes color (POS. 4 and 5), and zhelezorudnye can be like normal rust (POS. 6). This often misleads searchers, especially because the relief of the melting zhelezorudnye meteorite to enter the atmosphere at speeds close to the minimum, may be expressed poorly (Fig. 6).
In this case, it will be able to get the compass. Hold it close to the sample if needle points to "stone", it is likely to contain iron meteorite. Iron nuggets, too, "magnett", but they are extremely rare and absolutely do not rust.
The stone and zhelezorudnye meteorites crust melting is heterogeneous, but portions of it are already visible to the naked eye some elongation in one direction (POS. 7). Stone meteorites often break up in flight. If the destruction occurred during the final phase of the trajectory on the ground can drop their fragments without crust melting. However, in this case exposed their internal structure, unlike any terrestrial minerals (Ref. 8).
If the sample has cleavage, to define a meteorite or not, in the middle latitudes at a glance: bark melting differs sharply from the inside (POS. 9). Accurately show the origin of the crust viewing under a magnifying glass: if the bark is visible wavy pattern (Fig. 10), and the cleavage – the so-called organized elements (POS. 11), it is probably a meteorite.
In the desert can be misled by so-called " desert tan stone. Also in the desert a strong wind and thermal erosion, which ribs are of ordinary stone can be smoothed. The meteorite is the effect of the desert climate can smooth wavy pattern, and desert tan tighten the chip.
In the tropical zone of external influence on the rocks is so strong that meteorites on the surface of the soil soon become difficult to distinguish from simple stones. In such cases, to help gain confidence in the finding may approximate determination of their specific gravity after removal from the occurrence.
Documenting and seizure
To find retained value, its location shall be documented. To do this:
· GSM, if there is a Navigator, define and record the geographic coordinates.
· Photographed from different angles, from afar and near (in different angles like say photographers), trying to capture all the remarkable near the sample. For scale next to boon lay a ruler or object of known size (lens cap, match box, tin can, etc.)
· Draw a rough sketch (schematic plan of the place of occurrence without scale), indicating azimuths on a compass on nearby landmarks (towns, survey marks, conspicuous hills, etc.), with visual assessment of the distance to them.
You can now proceed with the seizure. First prokativaet side of the "stone" transeco and see how its length changes the kind of soil. The discovery should be removed along with the sinter around her, and in any case – in a layer of soil not less than 20 mm. Often chemical changes around the meteorite, scientists value more than him.
Carefully digging, put the sample in a bag and pretends to hand him the weight. From meteorites in space "swept" light elements and volatile compounds, so their specific gravity is greater than earth rocks. For comparison, you can dig up and weighed in his hands like the size of a boulder. Even the meteorite in a layer of soil will be much harder.
And suddenly, the geodes?
For a long time lain in the earth, meteorites often outwardly similar geodes – crystallization of the nest in terrestrial rocks. Geodes hollow, so it will be easier for even a common stone. But do not be discouraged: you are lucky, no less. Inside Geode – breeding ground natural quartz, and often precious stones (POS. 12). Therefore, geodes (and iron nuggets) are also treated as treasures.
But to defeat the object suspicious for geodes, in any case should not be. Besides the fact that it is much depreciated, the illegal sale of gems entails criminal liability. Geodes need to deliver in the same facility as a meteorite. If the content has a jewelry value, if found, by law, has the right to appropriate remuneration.
Where to carry?
To deliver discovery urgently needs scientific institution, at least in the Museum. And the police, the Charter of the Ministry of interior such case provided. If find too heavy, or scientists with police not very far away, it is better not to withdraw, but to call one or the other. Law the finder is not the reward that does not diminish, and the value of the findings increases.
If you still have to transport yourself, a sample should provide a label. It is necessary to specify the exact time and place of discovery, it is essential, in your opinion, the circumstances of the finds, their name, time and place of birth and address of permanent residence. To the label attached sketches and photos. If the camera is digital, the files it downloaded to the media without any processing, it is better in addition to the computer directly from the camera to the flash drive.
For transporting the sample in a bag wrapped with cotton batting or other soft padding. It is also desirable to place it in a sturdy wooden box, fixing from displacement during transportation. Yourself in any case you need to deliver only to the places where you will be able to arrive by qualified professionals.