What is the Rare 40-Pound Meteorite Found in Oregon?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the recent identification of a rare 40-pound meteorite found in Oregon, exploring the implications of such a discovery, its potential value, and the excitement surrounding meteorite hunting. The scope includes both conceptual appreciation of meteorites and practical considerations regarding their value and collection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express excitement about the discovery of the meteorite, highlighting the thrill of finding such a significant object.
  • There are discussions about the potential financial value of meteorites, with references to auction prices and market dynamics for different types of meteorites.
  • One participant suggests that the rarity and value of meteorites can lead to significant financial gains, citing examples of high-value specimens and their sale prices.
  • Another participant reflects on the ethical considerations of keeping a meteorite versus donating it to a museum or laboratory, indicating a personal conflict regarding ownership and contribution to science.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the excitement and value associated with meteorites, but there is no consensus on the ethical implications of ownership versus donation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various market values for meteorites without establishing a clear framework for valuation, and there are assumptions about the desirability of meteorites that may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to meteorite enthusiasts, collectors, and individuals curious about the financial and scientific aspects of meteorite discovery and ownership.

Astronuc
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I caught this headline on Yahoo, but didn't read it.

Rare 40-Pound Meteorite Identified in Oregon
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/95272349.html

Scientists Confirm Decade-Old Oregon Meteorite DIscovery
http://news.opb.org/article/7495-scientists-confirm-decade-old-oregon-meteorite-discovery/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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I've always wanted to find a nice size meteorite.
 
Nice big one too! What a great find.
 
What an amazing find! Really, who doesn't want to find something amazing like this, among the nerd fraternity/sorority at least. I would brag on by deathbed! :biggrin:
 
Meteorites can be worth some big bucks! Here is one listed on ebay

7.27 gram EC
Worth Over $700.00+ CHECK OUT ALL MY AUCTIONS THIS WEEK
Current bid: US $212.50
!BtL-vGgEGk~$(KGrHqEOKicEvMi8HVg(BL65Jzsfsg~~_35.JPG


Generally:
If you happen to be ice-biking, or 4-wheeling or prospecting near glaciers or ice fields, keep in mind that solitary rocky material are seldom found embedded in ice, and it could be a rare kind of meteorite. Some museums and universities have paid from $100 to $5,000 per gram for this particular (Allan Hills 840001) specimen, but most iron meteorites are sold or traded by collectors from 10 cents to $1.50 per gram, depending upon its variety, authenticity and size. Like gold nuggets, the price is determined by the market --sometimes a feeding frenzy develops over a particular stony-iron, or recently acquired one-of-a-kind meteorite...
http://www.desertusa.com/mag99/aug/stories/deserttrs.html

...In financial terms lunar and Martian specimens are among the most valuable meteorites, often selling on the collectors' market for up to $1,000 per gram, making them worth many times their weight in gold...
http://geology.com/meteorites/meteorite-types-and-classification.shtml

..A piece of the Los Angeles meteorite -- the 15th meteorite known to have originated on the surface of Mars -- has been sold for a price one of the buyers describes as "well into six figures." Although the deal put the bulk of the highly sought rock in the hands of two professional meteorite dealers, those dealers have been working to distribute most of the material to museums and institutions around the world for scientific study...
http://www.space.com/news/la001_sale_000430.html
 
Wow, that's kind of amazing, but I'm not sure that I would be able to resist donating it to a lab that wanted it. If it's a museum, they can pay. :biggrin:
 

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