Studying the science of space junk

Studying the science of space junk

Studying the science of space junk by Eryn Brown
Los Angeles Times, January 22, 2012,
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-space-junk-20120122,0,5399306,full.story
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-space-junk-20120122,0,819657.story

Space debris cluttering up orbit by Penelope Debelle
Adelaide Now, January 22, 2012
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/space-debris-cluttering-up-orbit/story-fn6bqpju-1226249814821

Best wishes,
Paul H.

"The Wave, " A Sight To see in Arizona

"The Wave, " A Sight To see in Arizona

For rock hounds and meteorite collectors going to Tucson, Arizona, a very
popular and beautiful rock formation to visit in northeast
Arizona is the "The Wave" (rock formation). This rock
formation consists of an outcrop of deeply eroded,
large-scale, eolian cross-beds in the Navajo Sandstone
in the Paria Canyon- Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, in
Coconino County, Arizona. It is so popular that there is
a daily online and onsite lottery that held to determine,
who can visit it on any specific day. A popular article
about it is:

Arizona's Wave rock formation a stone-cold stunner
by Hugo Martín, Times, November 20, 2007,
http://www.venturacountytrails.org/News/0182-TheWaveVermilionCliffs/NewsPage.htm
1. More Photographs of "The Wave" ... and 3.
http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/album2/index4.htm

2. Seiler, W. M., 2008, Jurassic Navajo sandstone of Coyote
Buttes, Utah/Arizona : coloration and diagenetic history,
preservation of a dinosaur trample surface, and terrestrial
analogs to Mars. Unpublished M.S. thesis, Dept. of
Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah, Salt Lake
City, Utah.

The 11.5 MB PDF file is available from
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cgi-bin/showfile.exe?CISOROOT=/us-etd2&CISOPTR=109657&CISOMODE=print
http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/us-etd2&CISOPTR=109657

and 3. Loope, D. B., W. M. Seiler, J. A. Mason, and M. A.
Chan, 2008, Wind scour of Navajo Sandstone at the Wave
(central Colorado Plateau, U.S.A.) Journal of Geology.
vol. 116, pp. 173-183.

Link to PDF file at;
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/geosciencefacpub/215/

The 1.4 MB PDF file is available from;
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1216&context=geosciencefacpub

By the way, it's a long hike to this rock formation. In addition
a person should bring a GPS too since the trail is very poorly
marked.

Best wishes,

Paul H.

Weathering profiles on Earth and Mars

Weathering profiles on Earth and Mars

The web page below is an interesting site of images
and text explanation.

Weathering profiles on Earth and Mars by Anne Gaudin,
University Nantes, CNRS, Laboratoire LPGN, France
Featured images for January 2012, IAG Planetary
Geomorphology Working Group
http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Jan12Image.html

The paper is:

Gaudin, A., E. Dehouck, N. Mangold, 2011, Evidence for
weathering on early Mars from a comparison with terrestrial
weathering profiles. Icarus. vol. 216, no. 1, pp. 257-268.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103511003496

Best wishes,

Paul H.

A Meteorite Did Not Start Fire in San Francisco

A Meteorite Didn’t Start Today’s Six Alarm 
Fire in San Francisco by Roberto Baldwin
Gizmodo, Science, December 31, 2011
http://gizmodo.com/5870615/a-meteorite-didnt-start-todays-six-alarm-fire-in-san-francisco
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/12/a-meteorite-didnt-start-todays-six-alarm-fire-in-san-francisco/

Twitter Urban Legend: A Meteorite Didn’t 
Start Today’s Six Alarm Fire in San Francisco
by Sharon Hill, December 25, 2011

Happy New Year Everyone

Paul H.

Papers About Dinosaur Tracks in Chinese Folklore

There is a new paper about dinosaur tracks in Chinese folklore.

It is:

Xing, L. A. Mayor, Y. Chen, J. D. Harris, and  M. E. Burns,
2011, The Folklore of Dinosaur Trackways in China: Impact 
on Paleontology. Ichnos, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 213-220.
DOI:10.1080/10420940.2011.634038 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10420940.2011.634038

The PDF version of this paper can be downloaded from
either http://www.xinglida.net/pdf/Xing_et_al_2011_Folklore_of_Dinosaur_Trackways.pdf or http://www.xinglida.net/list20052009.htm

There is also a related paper (inChinese.) It is:

Xing, L. A. Mayor, C. Yu. L. Baozhai, 2011, A Direct Evidence 
of Co-existing Ancient Chinese and Dinosaur Tracks. 
Geological Bulletin of China. vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 1530-1537

The PDF version of this paper can be downloaded from
either http://www.xinglida.net/pdf/Xing_et_al_2011_Co-existing_Dinosaur_Tracks.pdf or http://www.xinglida.net/list20052009.htm

Articles about the above paper are:

1. Evidence of Ancient Human Interest in Dinosaur Tracks 
Found in China, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
http://english.cas.cn/Ne/CASE/201110/t20111017_76299.shtml an

and 2. World's only evidence of co-existing humans, dinosaur 
tracks found in China by Xinhua writers Ji Shaoting and Mou Xu
English News, China
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-10/16/c_131194282.htm

Video of the dinosaur tracks can be seen in "Dinosaur Tracks 
Influence Ancient Chinese Culture" at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_DlV7UG22s

Yours,

Paul V. Heinrich

Tektites

In "tektites' at
http://lists.drizzle.com/pipermail/rockhounds/2011-December/036494.html
Steve Kelland asked,

"Does anyone know if tektites ever devitrify?"

Tektites can devitrify over geological periods of time. 
However, the glass composing them typically reacts to 
weathering by either complete dissolution or etching instead
of devitrifying into clay. The devitrifcation of tektites into 
clays is currently only known to occur under conditions 
of limited water contact. 

Overall, tektites are exceptional for their high chemical 
resistance and long-term stability against devitrification.
In part, the presence of MgO in a simple silica melt 
containing CaO significantly suppresses the devitrifcation
of tektites.

For example, go read,

Mazer, J. J., J. K. Bates, J. P. Bradley, C. R. Bradley, and C. M. 
Stevenson, 1992, Alteration of tektite to form weathering 
products. Nature. vol. 357, no. 6379, pp. 573 - 576
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v357/n6379/abs/357573a0.html

Heide, K., G. Heide, and G. Kloessa, 2001, Glass chemistry of 
tektites. Planetary and Space Science. vol. 49, no. 8, pp. 839-844.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032063301000332

Happy New Year,

Paul Heinrich

Triassic - Jurassic Extinction

Seeking a Pot of Geological Gold by Aaron L. Gronstal
Astrobiology, December 15, 2011
http://astrobio.net/index.php?option=com_expedition&task=detail&id=4400&type=story
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Seeking_a_Pot_of_Geological_Gold_999.html

PDF file at
http://astrobio.net//makepdf.php?id=4400&component=news

Yours,

Paul H.

Recent Article About Carolina Bays Research

A recent article about ongoing research on the Carolina Bays is 

Geological researchers study mystery of the 
Carolina Bays by Steve DeVane, Fayetteville Observer
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/12/26/1145419?sac=Local
http://m.fayobserver.com/articles?path=/articles/2011/12/26/1145419

Some of Dr. P. Lee Phillips' recent abstracts about Carolina Bays are:

Bryant, L. M., A. L. Sandford, and P. L. Phillips, 2011,
Characterization of the Orangeburg Scarp Boundary 
by Mapping the Density and Distribution of Carolina 
Bays in Hoke County, North Carolina. Geological 
Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 
vol. 43, no. 2, p. 4
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011SE/finalprogram/abstract_185744.htm

Post, S. H., P. L. Phillips, and N. E. Phillippi, 2010,
Delineation of Spatial Variences of Carolina Bays within
Robinson County, North Carolina. Geological Society of 
America Abstracts with Programs. vol. 42, no. 1, p. 70
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2010NE/finalprogram/abstract_170173.htm

Sandford, A. L., L. M. Bryant, and P. L. Phillips, 2011, 
Delinating the Ornageburg Scarp in Scotland County 
North Carolina by Mapping the westernmost Extent of 
Carolina Bays. Geological Society of America Abstracts
with Programs. vol. 43, no. 2, p. 4
http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011SE/finalprogram/abstract_185718.htm

By the way, there is a new USGS geologic map, which 
includes background information about geology of an area 
containing numerous Carolina Bays. It briefly discusses the 
Carolina Bays.

Weems, R. E., W. C. Lewis, and E. A. Crider, 2011, Surficial 
Geologic Map of the Elizabethtown 30' × 60' Quadrangle, 
North Carolina. Open-File Report 2011-1121. United States
Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

It can be found at and downloaded from:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1121/
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1121/ElizabethtownNCGeologicMap.pdf

A related report is:

Weems, R. E. W. C. Lewis, J. H. Murray, D. B. Queen, J. B. Grey, 
and B. D. DeJong, 2011, Detailed Sections From Auger Holes 
in the Elizabethtown 1:100,000-Scale Quadrangle, North 
Carolina. Open-File Report 2011-1115. United States
Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia.

It can be found at and downloaded from:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1115/
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1115/ofr2011-1115.pdf

Merry Christmas and Happy New 

Paul H.

Re: [meteorite-list] URGENT - This is Very Important

In [meteorite-list] [meteorite-list} URGENT at:
http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2011-December/081920.html
Michael Blood wrote


"Greetings all, 
Today your congressmen and women are debating a bill 
To CENSOR the internet! 
No, not about "kitty porn" or even about bomb making.... 
It is about corporate lobbying $. The want to censor anything 
That may not benefit their ability to make MORE MONEY. 
Please help to stop our country from becoming totally 
BY BIG BUSINESS FOR BIG BUSINESS instead of by the 
People, for the people! 
Democracy ONLY works if THE PEOPLE take an active Role. 
Please read below and, if you are a US citizen SIGN THE 
PETITION ! This most definitely effects the meteorite 
community."


....lengthy text deleted....


" This week there will be a historic filibuster of the Internet
Censorship Act where the names of every person that signs 
a petition against Internet censorship will be read. I added 
my name. Please add yours too. 


http://pol.moveon.org/nointernetcensorship/?r_by=-9483161-2FGPQSx&rc=pac_nointernetcensorship_letter.email.g0 "


A shorter URL for the above petition is http://tinyurl.com/SOPAPROTECTIP


The numerous problems with the SOPA and PROTECT IP
legislation is discussed in detail in "Congress considers 
anti-piracy bills that could cripple Internet industries" by
Alex Howard, O'Reilly Radar, Novmber 22, 2011.
http://radar.oreilly.com/2011/11/sopa-protectip.html


This is a very important issue as it will impact eBay, Youtube,
and any web site with user generated content that meteorite
people use to communicate with and educate each other and 
the public in general.


Other petitions are:


B. Stop the E-PARASITE Act
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/stop-e-parasite-act/SWBYXX55


C. US: Save the Internet
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_internet_us/


Yours,


Paul H.

Meteorite Hunters Prepare to Scour Cottage Country (Canada)

Meteorite Hunters Prepare to Scour Cottage Country (Ontario, Canada)

Meteorite hunters prepare to scour cottage country 
by Carola Vyhnak, The Star, Toronto, Dec 17, 2011
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1103757--meteorite-hunters-prepare-to-scour-cottage-country

Meteor crashes near Selwyn by Kennedy Gordan
Peterborough Examiner, Dec 15, 2011
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3404777

Yours,

Paul H.

Study shows how impact craters may form

Study shows how impact craters may form
http://dalje.com/en-world/study-shows-how-impact-craters-may-form/390016

Study shows how impact craters may form. Science News.
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/10/20/Study-shows-how-impact-craters-may-form/UPI-26051319150854/#ixzz1cgD4itIS

Crater shapes, UPI
http://www.upi.com/story/image/fs/UPI-26051319150854/13191492262400/

F. Pacheco- Vazquez and J. C. Ruiz- Suarez, 2011, Impact 
craters in granular media: Grains against grains. Physical 
Reviews Letters. vol. 107, no. 218001, 5 pp
http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v107/i21/e218001

Happy Holidays,

Paul H.

Help with new "Holocene" crater – Additional Note

In the post Help with new "Holocene" crater, at
http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2011-December/081906.html
the crater, which I discussed is the Corossol crater 
(50°3’N, 66°23’W) just offshore of the Sept Iles 
harbour, Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada. It is described in

Higgins, M.D., Lajeunesse, P., St-Onge, G., Locat, J., 
Duchesne, M., Ortiz, J., Sanfaçon, R., 2011. Bathymetric 
and Petrological Evidence for a Young (Pleistocene?) 
4-km Diameter Impact Crater in the Gulf of Saint 
Lawrence, Canada, 42nd Lunar and Planetary 
Science Conference, Houston, Texas.
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/1504.pdf

Yours,

Paul H.

Help with new "Holocene" crater

In “Help with new Holocene crater, please” at
http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2011-December/081869.html
Ed asked,

"The following structure has been proposed as a crater from 
the Holocene Start Impacts:

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2011/pdf/1504.pdf

I do not play a geologist on television, nor am I one in real life, 
but if the "floor" of this crater dates from 10,900 BCE, then 
that would be the crater floor, and not infill sediments, and 
thus the impact itself would have had to have been well after 
10,900 BCE?"

The article stated,

"The minimum age was established using data from 
a ~7 metre core taken in the central trough, which 
almost reached the basement, as defined by seismic 
data. Calibrated 14C ages of shells in the sediments can 
be extrapolated to give an estimate of the age of the 
base of the sedimentary sequence of ~12,900 cal BP, 
if no hiatus or older sediments were preserved 
between the base of the core and the bedrock. This is 
taken to be the youngest possible age of the impact."

The "floor" of the crater was not dated to ~12,900 cal BP.
It is estimated age of the oldest sediments that covers the
crater that dates to that period. This age only represents 
the latest period of sedimentation occurred in the area. 
Without addition information, it is entirely possible that 
either older sediments existed and have been eroded; 
there was a period of nondeposition before the accumulation
of the sediments covering it; or a combination of both.
All that can be said is the crater is older than ~12,900 
cal BP and younger than Ordovician. The morphology of 
this crater looks likes it has been significantly modified 
by erosion, which suggests that parts of the crater and 
possibly older sediments have been removed by erosion.

Thie ~12,900 cal BP date corresponds to the point in time
that the deglaciation of this part of Canada occurred. This 
would have been the when the ice sheet that covered and 
scoured this region melted back to expose the bottom of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence this part of the Canada. My 
interpretation of this date is that it represents the point
in time when the Laurentide Ice Sheet melted back 
enough to locally expose the bottom of the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence and first allow sediments to accumulate on the
eroded and scoured surface of this crater. Prior to that
time, it was likely covered and scoured by Laurentide 
Ice Sheet. Thus, this crater likely predates the last 
glacial maximum by a unknown period of time much 
like the Charity Shoals crater. From what I can see, this
is definitely not a “Holocene” crater and certainly 
predates the Younger Dryas by a significant period of 
time.

Best wishes,

Paul H.

SW Auzzie hole in the ground

“in “SW Auzzie hole in the ground” at:
http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2011-December/081755.html
Mike wrote:

“Came across this Dec. 3, 2011 posting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYjpfYyH2wo

Would seem fantastical for it to actually be an 
impact crater within a dried up stock watering 
pond. . . .

Anyone on the list in that part of the world?”

The largest discontinuous ring is likely the rim of a 
stock pond because of its location in a dry valley 
and the road that connects directly to it. The circular
features within the rim of the stock pond look like 
“bathtub rings” that represent the former “shorelines” 
/ extents of the pond that formed as the pond dried up.

The coordinates for this feature, which is about
45 meters in diameter, are:

1. Northing 6,313,739, Easting 553,490
UTM Zone 50

2. latitude: 33 degrees 18’ 51” South
longitude: 117 degrees 34’ 29” East

It is in Lot 3286 Ballaying Road, 
Ballaying, West Australia, Australia

The experts in local geology are:

Geological Survey of Western Australia
Department of Mines and Petroleum
Mineral House, 100 Plain Street
East Perth, Western Australia 6004

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geological_Survey_of_Western_Australia

Best wishes,

Paul H.