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Re: (meteorobs) Possible Bronx Fireball 7/22



Hi George.
One of my friends brought an interesting "rock" to me. It was found on
top of a mountain outside Piketberg, about 35 miles South-South West of
the Cederberg. 
The farmer, who's property it was found on, is quite old and clear
minded, late 70's.
He told my friend about some Bushman Paintings depicting a star falling
on the mountain. He went up there and found a distinct depression and a
large black stone in the centre. He picked up one of the surrounding
black rocks and brought it to me.
As I was informed, try everything you know to prove it is NOT a meteor,
then it must be if you cannot.
I examined it under a Uscope and there are spherrules visible. It has a
crust on the outside and the crust is very back and about 5mm thick.
I cannot detect any magnestism in the sample but it is very much like
burnt slag with a lot of "sand/crystals" in it. It seems to be rather
sandy in texture. I know the area but the local sand is white-yellowish
and this is black. Quite out of place for the area.
It is obvious that it was exposed to tremendous heat, due to the thick
melted crust.
What worries me, is that it is near the fault where the  most southern
tip of Africa crunched into the rest of Africa. There are a lot of
magnesium/Strontium nodules in the area , further to the north.
I am trying to get this to a lab to have it analised.
As soon as I have mre info, I will let you know.
It bothers me, as it is NOT magnetic, quite heavy for it's size (not
abnormally) and these weird "tunnels" burnt into it.
The sand/stony inside is round crystals and there are no fissures in it.
Keep well and I will keep you informed.
PS. Is there somewhere on the WEB where there are pictures of the
difrent types of meteors and their characteristics??
Cheers!!
-- 
> > Bill Hollenbach       Cederberg Observatory ah52@solo.pipex.co.za
> > http://aztec.co.za/exinet/travel/misc/cederobs.html
> > http://www.cs.uct.ac.za/~iwebb/obs/
> > Lat: 32:30.11' (S)    Long: 19:15.20' (E)   GPS POSITION
> > " We are stardust "   Durbanville, Cape Town South Africa


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