Hue and Cry After Lost Meteorite

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6520, 8 April 1931, Page 2

Hue and Cry After Lost Meteorite

ADELAIDE, S. Aust. The chase after a meteorite that recently uashed across the South Australian sky and finally grounded somewhere in the State has aroused considerable interest. The meteorite was one of extraordinary brilliance, and, after it had disappeared, wireless inquiries as to its location were put through by the astronomical staff of the university and tho government astronomer, George F. Dodwell. There were numerous . eye-witnesses of the meteorite as it flamed across the eastern sky, and estimates of where it had fallen differed by. hundreds of miles. The university and astronomer’s office organised an expedition in search of it, a large party being formed including Prof. Kerr Grant and the government astronomer. After much searching, the Acid of exploration was narrowed down to an area of four miles which was combed all one day without success. The quest was nearly abandoned when Professor Grant after several hours’ walk, stumbled into the c-rator made by the meteorite itself proved to have been smashed into countless fragments. These varied in weight from two pounds to 10 pounds, tho largest pieces being in the crater, ancl the others scattered over a radius of 10 yards. Tho violence of tho impact had pulverised some portions. Tho fragments have a volcanic appearance, the outer portions being scored by the terrific heat generated in the passage through the air. Mr. Dodwell estimated the original velocity at 60 miles a second, which would bo decreased to about 15 miles a second as the meteorite approached the earth. A house a mile away was shaken by tho concussion. From calculations, the meteorite was visiblo in the earth’s atmosphere for about 150 miles, so that the spectacle of its flight was only a few seconds. The fragments, wiiich arc being minutely analysed, consist apparently of oxiclo of iron carrying small particles of nickel. Already there have been numerous requests from natural scientists in Australia and overseas for specimens, and these will be sent. In that respect the smashing of tho meteorite by tho terrific impact is a scientific advantage.