A meteorite that spent decades as a barn doorstop in Michigan has been identified as a new IIIAB iron meteorite.
asserted
that → spend → meteorite
The 10.22-kilogram rock reportedly fell on a farm near Edmore in 1939.
uncertain
rock → fall → 1939
After a different meteorite fell near Hamburg, Michigan, in 2018, the farm's later owners, who had been told the rock's story, recognized its value to science and brought it to Central Michigan University for identification.
asserted
who → fall → identification
According to the research presented at the 50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in 2019, a slice was later studied at the Smithsonian Institution, where scientists analysed its composition and internal structure.
uncertain
scientists → accord → composition
The meteorite, which had been found near Edmore in 1939 and used as a doorstop for decades, was later named Edmore, Michigan, as its officially approved meteorite name.
asserted
which → find → name
The rock found in 1939 was later identified as a meteorite
The Edmore meteorite was found on a farm near the town of Edmore in Michigan in 1939.
asserted
meteorite → find → 1939
The owner reportedly recovered it and later used the stone as a doorstop for a barn.
uncertain
owner → recover → barn
The farm’s subsequent owners had been told the story of the unusual rock and later brought it to Central Michigan University for identification.
asserted
owners → tell → identification
After the Hamburg, Michigan, fall in early 2018, the subsequent owners recognised that the old stone could have scientific value.
uncertain
stone → recognise → value
They took it to Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant for identification.
asserted
They → take → identification
The specimen is triangular and measures 17 x 20 x 23 cm.
asserted
specimen → measure → cm
It weighs 10.22 kg and has large surface indentations.
asserted
It → weigh → indentations
Portions of its surface have a light brown fusion crust.
asserted
Portions → have → crust
Scientists examined the meteorite’s internal structure
A slice of the meteorite was sent to the Smithsonian Institution for identification and classification.
asserted
slice → examine → identification
Scientists used a Nova NanoSEM 600 scanning electron microscope under low vacuum and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to identify nickel in the sample.
asserted
Scientists → use → sample
They then prepared the slice with 10% Nital and alcohol to expose its Widmanstätten pattern.
asserted
They → prepare → pattern
The meteorite was described as a medium octahedrite.
asserted
meteorite → describe → octahedrite
The examined slice contained kamacite, taenite, and schreibersite.
asserted
slice → examine → kamacite
The taenite between the kamacite lamellae showed pronounced zoning.
asserted
taenite → show → zoning
Schreibersite grains reached up to 4 mm in width and showed extensive fracturing.
asserted
grains → reach → fracturing
Results:
PC: 50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in 2019
PC: 50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in 2019
Edmore became an officially recognised meteorite
The researchers noted that Edmore is a new IIIAB iron meteorite based on the information and analyses presented in the study.
asserted
Edmore → become → study
The paper states that the iridium data were particularly important in reaching this conclusion.
asserted
data → state → conclusion
Its identification also draws attention to meteorites that may remain in personal collections without their owners knowing their scientific importance.
uncertain
owners → draw → importance
The researchers noted that the Edmore case, like the 2018 Hamburg fall, shows why greater public visibility of meteorites can help bring new specimens forward for study.
asserted
visibility → note → study
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