Meteorite Hunting

Has anyone ever done this?

Here is some info on how to recognise a meteorite www.open2.net/astronomy/asteriods/hunt/recognition.html

Appearlently one fell near Leighlinbridge. There should be lots of meteorites around where one hits (they break up on landing) but only one was found here.

Something to do at the weekend?

Conor

I dunno, for some reason the words 'needle' and 'haystack' jump to mind!

So basically you wander around looking for any rock with a high Iron content?

I might take a trip to the mountains next weekend if the weather is nice!

Dont suppose anyone knows of any fireball sightings around Wicklow in the last 50 years or so?...

Don't forget your stick with the magnets

Don't forget your stick with the magnets

and a few golf balls for when I give up looking for needles in haystacks

Cheers,
~Al

Has anyone ever done this?
Appearlently one fell near Leighlinbridge. There should be lots of meteorites around where one hits (they break up on landing) but only one was found here.Something to do at the weekend?
Conor

Conor,

Meteorites do not break up on landing as you state. Large meteors are likely to explode in the atmosphere and drop to earth in a number of pieces scattered over a wide area. This is what happened with the Leighlinbridge fireball.

I'm sure you can't actually believe that nobody looked for meteorites after the event and that they are lying around waiting for you to pick up? Searches were of course carried out with no success, both by locals and organised groups.

Ron Elliott, a UK meteorite collector, claims he bought three pieces after he offered cash for any meteorites recovered, one "allegedly" found by a local woman walking along a road into Leighlinbridge.

As the event occurred nearly five years, it is highly unlikely any meteorites will turn up now or be recognisable for what they are. Still, if you want to wander around the fields of Leighlinbridge in your wellies, perhaps don a wetsuit and check the river bottom etc, who are we to stop you! Good luck!