- Matt is an Astronomer and works for the University of Colorado's Fiske Planetarium. To say he loves the sun, moon, stars and everything in between is an understatement.
- He was born in Los Angeles but he also has a deep love for Idaho where he spent many a vactions as a kid
- Aside from astronomy, Matt is a big sports fan (Dodgers, Lakers & Broncos), an incredibly skilled skier, a pet lover, and any activity outdoors.
So without further adieu, Matt, take it away!
At work yesterday, I got a call from a gentlemen saying that he thought he had found a meteorite. My first thought was, “alright, lets see how legitimate this is”. I asked him his name (Jeff) and phone number in case we got disconnected. He then began telling me how he came to find this specimen. Jeff proceeded to launch into his story:
Jeff: So I have been metal detecting for close to 30 years and I mostly look for jewelry and other lost trinkets. I used to work for Burlington railroad and would travel all over Colorado, taking my metal detector with me everywhere I go. I have found some interesting things over the years from watches, rings, etc…
I politely interrupted, as this story had the makings of a long one. I asked Jeff, “where did you find this specimen?”
Jeff: Between Sterling and Fort Morgan, you know off I-76.
Me: I know where you are talking about. (At least roughly. I then asked where he specifically found it.)
Jeff: On the north side of I-76 near a country road I can’t quite remember. But I do recall that it was pretty much half way between Sterling and Fort Morgan. It was in a park that had a pond, some swings and slides for kids and a track for jogging or walking dogs.
At this moment I opened Google maps and began looking for such a place between Sterling and Fort Morgan.
Jeff continued: It was early in the morning and I began sweeping the park with my metal detector. About 90 minutes in, my detector showed that there was something under the ground, so I began digging. About 4-6 inches down was this massive hunk of metal about the size of a softball. At first glance it appeared to be some old smelting slag.
Me: I am impressed you know what slag looks like because unfortunately most metallic meteor-wrongs are indeed slag.
Jeff continued: Recently, I have watched a bunch of episodes of the Discovery show “Meteorite Men” and I am convinced this is definitely a meteorite.
“What makes you think it’s a meteorite?” I asked, looking for more specific details.
Jeff said: “Well I have seen almost all of these “Meteorite Men” episodes. It was pretty clear to me. It was super heavy, and black and a magnet would stick to it easily.
Not trying to judge or dismiss his claims, I said “Okay, Where is this specimen now?”
Jeff said: I left it at the park. It weighed close 20 pounds and it was too heavy for me to carry, so I discarded it on the shore of the pond near the kid’s swings.
Now I am finally thinking we are getting somewhere. I know the description and location of this specimen. All that is left is to figure out when Jeff was exploring this park. If it was a few week ago, there is a chance it is still there.
“So Jeff, when did you discover this specimen?”
Jeff calmly responded with, “I found it in July of 1985”.
My internal monolog said, “Are you *%^#ing kidding me? I had just had a 20-30 minute conversation that led to this?!”
Here I am listening to his story about a meteorite specimen and scouring satellite imagery on Google earth to try and find this park with a pond along I-76. Perhaps I should have asked the “when” as one of my first questions.
Without chuckling and/or patronizing the man, I said that there was little chance if any of finding this thing. This specimen has likely been covered by a new park or a housing subdivision. I would like to think there is a lesson to be had here, but like the specimen I am sure I am not going to find it.
- Matt
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