(meteorobs) Fwd: Researchers find meteorite fragments in Altai

[Michael Boschat]

Researchers find meteorite fragments in Altai

18:27 	| 	*07*/ *05*/ 2007

	

<http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070507/65044733-print.html>

NOVOSIBIRSK, May 7 (RIA Novosti) - A group of Russian researchers 
looking for a meteorite that fell in January in the Altai Territory in 
southern Siberia has found an extraterrestrial substance which could be 
meteorite fragments, a coordinator said Monday.

"We have collected about 50 samples, and vitreous threads (traces of 
comet substance) were discovered in the first of them using a 
microscope," Vadim Chernobrov of Kosmopoisk (space search) said.

"We will reach the meteorite site in a few days, but rocks which are 
probably meteorite fragments have already been found," Chernobrov said.

He said only laboratory testing could establish the rocks' origin, 
adding that there were many volunteers involved in the operation from 
Moscow, Novosibirsk, Kostroma and local areas. He said all finds will be 
given to a museum.

Earlier, it was reported that January 10, local motorists and residents 
witnessed the impact of a fiery ball, which eventually ended in a loud 
sound resembling an explosion.

"Witnesses called us. This must have been a meteorite," a senior 
scientist from the Barnaul planetarium said.

Natalya Pavlova said that since a fallen meteorite was discovered in 
1840, some 20 meteorites, including 4 in the 21st century, have been 
registered in the area.


-- 
Clear skies
===========
Michael Boschat
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - Halifax Center 
Astronomy page:  http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/~aa063