Finding meteorites..... 2

jimpeterson2 · Nov 22, 2006

I am trying to locate a piece of a meteorite, with maybe the weight of 1 ton, that might be buried to a depth of 10 feet in a plowed field. The meteorite's structial class is finest octahedrite, consisting of mostly iron, and approximately 10 % nickel.
Would it be possible to find something of this size using a strong magnet, say suspended by a string set up to use trianglation from a distance of maybe 100 feet? Just how far would this work, if it works at all?
Thanks, Guys,
jim Peterson

MagMike · Nov 22, 2006

A magnet is probably not the best method, I don't believe it'll be sensitive enough.

I recommend a gaussmeter probe, one that is sensitive enough to pick up the small, localized variations in the earth's magnetic field. A number of gaussmeter manufacturers make what is called a gamma probe, which might work well for this.

IRstuff · Nov 22, 2006

>> Ground penetrating radar
>> 3-axis Magnetometer should detect the mass concentration. Airborne magnetometers are able to detect masscons.
>> Earth resistivity measurements used for oil field exploration ought to be able to detect the anomaly as well.

TTFN

MadMango · Nov 23, 2006

I think you are better off using a non-damped, hand-held compass. Fluid damped ones will be less sensitive than those that aren't.

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EdStainless · Nov 28, 2006

I think that a magentometer is the ticket. For something this size you may not need great sensitivity. You will need to map a large area to find the patterns. These are commonly used in archaeological work.

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IRstuff · Nov 28, 2006

Another possibility is an induced seismic event, whose shock waves can be mapped with seismometers to reveal ground propagation anomalies.

TTFN

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Finding meteorites..... 2

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