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Collect and examine micrometeorites
August 8, 2001
Web posted at: 12:33 PM EDT (1633 GMT)
From: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Earth's atmosphere is constantly bombarded with microscopic meteorites that are too small to burn up. These micrometeorites float in the atmosphere and eventually settle to the ground. The best time to collect micrometeorites is after a meteor shower.
1. Clean a small glass dish, and place it outside to collect rainwater. If you live in an area with little rain, fill the dish with distilled water and place it outside for several days.
2. Place a small, strong magnet in a small plastic bag and sweep the covered magnet slowly through the water, along the bottom and sides of the dish.
3. Place the covered magnet in a second pan of distilled water, and remove the magnet, shaking the bag in the water to dislodge any particles.
4. Evaporate the water over a hot plate, and drag a magnetized needle across the sides and bottom of the dish.
5. Tap the needle onto a microscope slide, and examine the sediment with a microscope -- any rounded and pitted metallic particles are probable meteorites.
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