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Help find meteorite pieces in Hague!
Fragments of a meteor fell in Hague. NHM experts are asking the public to help with the search. Learn how to spot a meteorite.
Help find meteorite pieces in Hague!
In the community of Haag between Lembach and Bachlerboden, experts from the Natural History Museum (NHM) have launched a call to search for meteorite fragments. These fragments, probably fist-sized, fell during a recent meteorological event. Andrea Patzer, curator of the NHM's meteorite collection, reported that the meteor shone brightly as it entered the atmosphere and the European fireball network documented this spectacular event.
The first search attempts have already been made, but they were unsuccessful due to the difficult terrain, which is characterized by meadows and wooded areas. In order to improve the chances, Patzer asks the public for help and relies on clues and discoveries. The expectations are specifically aimed at heavier, dark and dull objects that could be in the recreational area.
Characteristics of a meteorite
To be successful in their search, finders should know what to look for. Meteorites are relatively heavy for their size and are characterized by a smooth, matte surface that usually has black or rusty brown tones. In addition, they are often weakly magnetic and compact, which distinguishes them from ordinary stones. In broken areas, metallic inclusions or small circular structures may be visible, with the interior being a lighter shade.
Before picking up a found piece, Patzer recommends taking photos from different angles and of the place where it was found. The GPS coordinates should also be recorded to record the exact location of the find. The information collected can then be sent directly to them to enable the identification of the object.
About 100 tons of extraterrestrial material reaches Earth every day, mostly in the form of dust. As they enter the atmosphere, these objects produce a visible plasma tail, often perceived as a shooting star. Large objects called fireballs are responsible for the impressive glow. These natural phenomena are of great interest to the NHM's collection, which houses one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Patzer and her team hope that appeals to the local population will not only enrich the meteorological collection, but also increase interest in extraterrestrial phenomena. More information on how interested citizens can get involved can be found in an article by www.nachrichten.at to find.