In 2009, Contributing Editor Mike Reynolds conducted a series of “family meteorite workshops” at Florida State College in Jacksonville, Florida. He will present several more at the North East Astronomy Forum in April. Mike Reynolds photo
I remember my first NEAF. I thought I had died and gone to astronomical heaven. I had never seen so many astronomical companies in one room, albeit a college gymnasium. And in addition to all of the companies and their wares, NEAF offers talks and presentations for attendees as well as activities for kids and their families.
This year Alan has asked me to set up a booth that will have a number of meteorite-related activities for kids attending NEAF. This is a large bill to fill, but I’ll do my best. First I will have a large exhibit of meteorites, tektites, and impactites. Nothing beats learning about meteorites like seeing them firsthand. This display will also include a number of meteorite items, from skillfully crafted knives to meteorites depicted on stamps and coins. I also will feature demonstrations and activities. Some of what I have planned for attendees includes:
Demonstrations:
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Comet-making — from dry ice, water, carbon, ammonium hydroxide, silicates, organics; always a fun activity to see and clearly demonstrates the simple makeup of a comet.
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Cosmic Killer! — determining if someone could be killed by a meteorite strike (a new activity I just developed for a science supply company).
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Iron meteorite etching — to show the Widmanstätten pattern in nickel-iron crystalline structures.
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Nickel testing — confirming nickel in meteorites (first question: How do we know if it is a meteorite or a “meteor-wrong”?).
Ongoing Activities:
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Classification of meteorites — Irons, Stones, and Stony-Irons, with identifications; I’ll also have a brochure available.
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Optical and hand-held digital microscopes for viewing meteorite surfaces and interiors on a computer monitor.
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Magnetic meteorites — a demonstration of magnetic properties.
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Meteoritic splash — creating craters and rays in large tray of fine builder’s sand; the top layer will show impact rays.
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“Meteor-wrongs” — how to identify many of the average so-called meteor-wrongs like loadstone, granite, etc.
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Meteorite podcast — my Falling Stars talk.
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Searching for meteorites — kids that attend will use an ubermagnet and search a large tray of fine builder’s sand for “buried” meteorites.
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Thin-section meteorite slides — using projection microscopes, kids will have the opportunity to see “through” a meteorite.
As you might have guessed, these activities and demonstrations are really for anyone and everyone. If you want to learn more about meteorites and in a hands-on way, this will be your golden opportunity.
Alan also asked that I set up a booth offering meteorites for sale. Most of what I will bring will be inexpensive meteorites for those who want a “piece of the rock” at a reasonable price. There will also be some spectacular meteorites available, from museum-quality large meteorite slabs to lunar meteorites. I have been working with one of my college students — an art major — to create some unusual and stunning meteorite jewelry. I will also do a book signing for my introductory meteoritics book entitled Falling Stars.
NEAF is always a fun event, and with the emphasis this year on kids, outreach, and astronomy, I hope attendees take home with them our enthusiasm. Next month we’ll explore more meteorite topics, and I’ll have a report from NEAF.
Do you have a meteorite question? Collecting tales? Successful meteorite hunts? A favorite meteorite or book? A must-see meteorite exhibit? Please email me at mreynolds@fscj.edu. I will explore your meteorite questions and more each month!
Keep looking up!
Dr. Mike Reynolds
Previous "Falling Stars" blogs: