Posted on another site by ron smith
These are the results of some simple tests I conducted with a few representative samples of meteorites from my small collection. My XLT was ground-balanced to a predetermined "clean" spot and each specimen was subsequently placed within that spot, lying on the surface. I used the standard 9.5" coil and kept the XLT factory relic program as close to the factory settings as possible in an attempt to establish a baseline useful for comparison among different machines.
The overwhelming majority of the readings noted agree with those earlier posted by Ed in SD (12-17-2001, 18:59:57), although those here were taken with a different machine and will be more recognizable to many White's users. Types selected were solid iron, Pallasite (even mix of iron and stone), Mesosiderite (uneven mix of iron and stone), high-iron stone and low-iron stone. With the few samples available to me, I had no opportunity to compare the effects of different sizes and shapes, but the information may be of some use to anyone considering such a venture. Thanks again to Ed for the idea of testing meteorites directly for a comparison with known targets; though I have no plans to hunt meteorites with my XLT, his post raised some valid questions, especially considering the wide range of values (from .25/gram to as high as $50,000.00/gram) of meteorites in the present market, and at least I have temporarily satisfied my own curiosity.
GIBEON
These are the results of some simple tests I conducted with a few representative samples of meteorites from my small collection. My XLT was ground-balanced to a predetermined "clean" spot and each specimen was subsequently placed within that spot, lying on the surface. I used the standard 9.5" coil and kept the XLT factory relic program as close to the factory settings as possible in an attempt to establish a baseline useful for comparison among different machines.
The overwhelming majority of the readings noted agree with those earlier posted by Ed in SD (12-17-2001, 18:59:57), although those here were taken with a different machine and will be more recognizable to many White's users. Types selected were solid iron, Pallasite (even mix of iron and stone), Mesosiderite (uneven mix of iron and stone), high-iron stone and low-iron stone. With the few samples available to me, I had no opportunity to compare the effects of different sizes and shapes, but the information may be of some use to anyone considering such a venture. Thanks again to Ed for the idea of testing meteorites directly for a comparison with known targets; though I have no plans to hunt meteorites with my XLT, his post raised some valid questions, especially considering the wide range of values (from .25/gram to as high as $50,000.00/gram) of meteorites in the present market, and at least I have temporarily satisfied my own curiosity.
GIBEON