The largest meteorite ever found in Michigan was not brought to the attention by experts for over 80 years.
The space rock was a doorstop weighing 10 kilograms (22 pounds) at a farm for many decades before it was recognized by scientists.
Mona Sirbescu,A geologist at Central Michigan University, Explained in 2018After examining the object.
It is the most valuable specimen that I have ever had in my life. Both financially and scientifically.
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David Mazurek, a man from Grand Rapids, Michigan, had asked Sirbescu if she could examine a rock he’d had for 30 years – in case it was a meteorite.
Sirbescu had made this request many times throughout her career. However, it was usually without any exciting results.
“For 18 years, the answer has been categorically ‘no’ … not meteorites,” She gave a detailed explanation in a written statement at the moment.
On this occasion the answer was a bit different.
It was not only a space rock but also a spectacular one.
The Edmore Meteorite is a large meteorite of iron and nickel with around 12 percent nickel.
It’s a fascinating story how Mazurek came to possess the meteorite.
Sirbescu claims that when Mazurek purchased a farm in Edmore in Michigan in 1988, the previous owner showed him around and he saw a large rock used to prop up a shed’s door.
Mazurek was informed by the owner that the doorstop was a meteorite when he asked about it.
The man continued to tell how he and his dad had witnessed the meteorite fall at night on their property in the 1930s. “And it made an awful noise when the ball hit”.
The following morning, they dug up the meteorite and found the crater that was left behind by the object. They said it was still warm.
What’s the craziest part? The most bizarre part?
And so Mazurek kept the space rock for 30 years, and continued using it as a doorstop – except for the occasions when his kids took the rock to school for show and tell.
He noticed that people made money by finding and selling tiny pieces of meteorites. So he decided to have his giant rock appraised.
We can imagine Mazurek must have been elated when he finally did so, as meteorites – due to their rarity and scientific value – can often fetch high price tags.
What usually happens at this stage is that the meteorites are either sold and displayed in a museum, or they can be sold to sellers and collectors looking to make money. Sirbescu said.
Mazurek eventually sold the meteorite to Michigan State University Abrams Planetarium. He pledged 10 percent of his windfall to CMU’s Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, where Sirbescu determined the true identity of the rock.
How much does it cost? $75,000.
It’s not bad for a doorstop that is over a decade old.
The original version of this article appeared in October 2018.
