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Precious Metals in Meteorites?


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Hi Guys:

Any reason we never see precious metals in meteorites? I've seen some of these documentries or read articles where they talk about mining asteroids in the future for gold, silver, copper and many other metals. Meteorites are just small chunks that came from large asteroids yet you only see a few basic elements in their composition. Where are all these other elements and why aren't they found in meteorites? We've been finding meteorites for decades but we have yet to find one with an unusual composition. Do asteroids or meteorites with unusual elements even exist??? :hmmmmmm:

Steve

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I think I read somewhere that there are indeed trace elements in meteorites that include presious metals. I wonder if the percentage would equal the basic percentage of same in the Earth with mass figured in? Interesting question.

Bill

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I have read of meteorites with unusual composition, I think HH Ninninger mentioned one from Colorado with a high level of copper. There isn't any reason a precious metal or diamond filled meteorite can't exist...but the odds of one being torn from a planet/astroid, ejected into space, drawn into Earth's orbit, coming to rest on land, being found by man and finally actually recognized as a meteorite has got to be itzy-bitzy at best.

fred

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Hi Gentlemen

Bill is on the right track :whoopie: !! Space rocks contain similar amounts of elements found on earth :smrt1: . But on earth they are concentrated by geological and terrestrial processes :idea: . The center of our earth is filled with molton Iron/Nickle I know cause I checked it with my Omni Long Range Locator and it said soooo :shrug: !! Happy Huntin John B.

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Thank You to John B. Yokum for his analysis with high tech equipment ( Check this! ). Seriously though, isn't there some percentage of copper in Franconia meteorites?

Ben

Ben,

The meteorite found by John Wolfe on 10/31/2002 and classified as Franconia H5 S3 W2, has metallic Cu visible in it. Several pairings showed the same feature. I am not aware of abundant copper being found in any of the other 10 classifications at Franconia.

Jim

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Hi Guys:

It seems that most reports of meteorite analysis are either by mineral description or by % elements. Since there's only traces (ppm) of precious metals, rare earths and others, they probably never show up on most reports and you would have to know what your looking for to find it.

Steve

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Ben,

The meteorite found by John Wolfe on 10/31/2002 and classified as Franconia H5 S3 W2, has metallic Cu visible in it. Several pairings showed the same feature. I am not aware of abundant copper being found in any of the other 10 classifications at Franconia.

Jim

Me and a buddy of mine were driving through the Bradshaws one night about 12 years ago when we saw an object with a glowing green tail streak across the sky. At the time I thought it might have been a meteorite but wasn't sure since all previous meteors I've seen had white or yellow tails. I guess a meteor with copper in it would explain the green streak.... :hmmmmmm:

Steve

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