Mike's Astro Photos

I didn’t go out today (Saturday) because I really did not have good data. I’ve been working with some heavy hitters on the meteorite list and they have been busy analyzing the two new videos tapes that surfaced this week. I was emailing back and forth with them Friday night and Saturday morning. I didn’t want to go out today without a good location so I decided to work on my maps and trajectory information, rest and go shopping instead. I picked up some good new gear today. Some maps and hiking books, a hikers GPS (so money!), some insect repellent and a few other things.

Before I left to go shopping I got an email from Rob Matson that said he had completed his analysis and had the data I needed. I’ve got a pretty good location of the impact zone and I’m working on my strewn field map. I’m hoping Marc Fries will come through with an updated treasure map before I head out tomorrow. Thanks a million to both Rob and Marc, what they have been able to do and come up with literally blows my mind.

I’m not at liberty to release the precise information but they have encouraged me to publish a close proximity to where the meteorites are most likely to be found. The more people that are out there the better our chances of finding at least 1 rock. The first rock we find will lead us to others, so I really want as many people on the ground looking for these things as possible.

Tomorrows hot zone based on the very best information that is out there are: New Holland, Bareville, Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand PA.

August 2nd, 2009 Meteor Search Map (Click to enlarge)

I found a biking trail that is very near the bulls eye. There is definately a margin of error with the bulls eye so this biking trail looks like a very good place to search. It is a free and public place so you won’t have to deal with land owners. I highly recommend it. I have been told it is best to try to walk a north / south or south / north path. This will improve your chances of actually crossing the trajectory and thus recovering meteorites.