http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/241689

I’ve already gotten some really great leads from the article. If anyone out there from Lancaster knows anything or wants to help, please leave me a comment on the blog or email me : mike.hankey [AT] gmail.com

Thanks!

Mike

This picture came in on a comment after I made this post. The pic was so good, I had to promote it to the front page.

Meteor Dream

While the strewn field map does not have any markers in the blue zone or yellow zone, they are still worth searching and contacting landowners in this area is also a top priority. The blue zone especially could be good as the meteor path crosses it. The yellow zone is west of the current trajectory, so it is slightly lower priority, but should nothing turn up in the other areas this will be next on the list. Landowner contact in the yellow zone is also a top priority.

Mason Dixon Meteor - Blue Zone Map

Mason Dixon Meteor - Yellow Zone

Mason Dixon Meteor - Red Zone Map

The scarecrow in this map represents the 10g marker. It has been suggested that the best place to find meteorites would be inbetween the 10g and 100g markers (100g is in the orange zone). Meteorites in this size range (10g-100g) would be the most plentiful and therefor the easiest to find. These markers are only as good as the calculations which are estimates, so while it is suggested these are the ‘target areas’ there is a margin of error and in reality it could be a few clicks the other way. Contacting all land owners and searching all areas in all 5 of these zones and possibly more zones will be required. Unfortunately its not as easy as going to the exact location marked on a treasure map. Treasure maps are still fun though.

Red Zone - Sectors A, B, C

Red Zone - Sector D

I will be in the search area Friday and Saturday, if you are interested in hunting together send me an email.

]]> http://www.mikesastrophotos.com/baltimore-pa-meteor/red-zone-maps/feed/ 2 http://www.mikesastrophotos.com/baltimore-pa-meteor/orange-zone-map/ http://www.mikesastrophotos.com/baltimore-pa-meteor/orange-zone-map/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:13:24 +0000 Mike Hankey http://www.mikesastrophotos.com/?p=829 Here is the second map in a series of five — The Orange Zone.

Mason Dixon Meteor - Search Zone Orange

The Orange Zone is special because it contains three markers from Marc Fries strewn field map. These markers should not be intended to be an x-marks the spot indicator (trust me I’ve been to them already). They are simply a calculated estimate based on lots of assumptions. They indicate an area where these sized meteorites would be found (if they existed in the first place) and all assumptions were true. With that being said the markers are:

• Dead Tree = 10,000g
• Man Eating Carp = 1,000g
• Cross Roads = 100g

Here are the high zoom maps for the four sub sections.

Orange Zone - Sector A

Orange Zone - Sector B

There is a stream that runs through the middle of the orange zone. In sector A, I saw a big black rock sitting in the middle of the stream. I’m going to walmart to get some black waders before my next outing. I must admit I have already pulled a 30lb black rock out of the stream, turn out to be terrestrial (no I didn’t bring it home with me).

Orange Zone - Sector C

Orange Zone - Sector D

I recommend printing all of the maps and drawing on them with a pen or pencil. Shade in areas you’ve searched. Write notes on the back about land owners and number the notes to the keyed houses on the master maps. I’ve noticed the farmers really love to see their properties on these maps. Use the zoomed in satellite sector maps when talking to the farmers, I’m not sure how they would interpret the skull and cross bones on the pirate maps… Its a little scary

If you are serious about searching and talking with the landowners email me (mike.hankey [AT] gmail.com) and I can give you some tips and set you up with some information packets and other things.

Most of these roads have not been thoroughly searched. If you don’t want to deal with asking for permission, check the ditches and grass on the sides of roads.

The video is very difficult to make out, what you are seeing is the reflection of the meteor on the hood of a truck. You have to watch the video 5-10 times to really see it. Look in the top right corner.

Mason Dixon Meteor - Green Zone Search Map (Click To Enlarge)

Here are zoomed maps for each of the three sub sections in the green zone.

Mason Dixon Meteor - Green Zone Sector A

On the detailed map we have:

- labeled all roads and identified landmarks
- where possible marked parking locations
- indicated the meteor path and altitude
- sectioned the map into logical sub-zones a, b, c
- identified and numbered all of the land owners. This numbering system is cross referenced against a database I developed using the Lancaster land records that are available online. I know the property owners name, the amount of acreage and any notes regarding meetings with the property owners and in some cases pictures of the properties.

Mason Dixon Meteor - Green Zone Sector B

- where relevant placed clues that indicate key locations in the strewn map field. these markers are not meant to be exact X marks the spot indicators, rather they pin-point an area where certain sized meteorites would likely fall based on the current trajectory. There are 6 markers in the map series, ranging from 10,000g, 1,000g, 100g, 10g, 1g, .1g. This in no way suggests that a 10kg meteorite exists! It simply means that if a 10kg meteorite did exist it would be in this general area. The reality is the trajectory is not 100% perfect so a thorough search of the entire area is needed, but it is recommended to target these specific areas first. I will leave pretty obvious clues in the blog posts that will tip you off to what markers are what.

If you are hunting the meteorites or want to I recommend printing these maps in landscape mode and then drawing on them as you search areas. Essentially scribble on areas that you have searched. Also take notes on the back of the map especially if you talk to land owners. Try to record as much info as possible, their names, addresses, what crops and fields they have, when these fields will be cut / available for searches. I am working with several people on this and they are feeding back their search maps and information to me so I can update the search database. If you want to share your information with send me an email at mike.hankey [AT] gmail.com.

Mason Dixon Meteor - Green Zone Sector C

As I was marking up the maps adding information and notations I couldn’t help feeling like I was making a treasure map, so after I finished enhancing one of them I sent it to my friend Vincent from Paris (A photoshop wizard — guy responsible for Mike Hankey Captain Kirk picture and Mason Dixon Meteor simulation video.) I asked him to give it a treasure map feel. As always he blew me away. I hope you like it. Meteorite hunting is a lot more fun when you ave a treasure map in your hand. Bravo Vincent vous êtes le meilleur.

Its out there.

Here is a quick update on a few different meteor related things:

- Star witness turned fireball chaser, M Gaines has been working the field looking for security videos and he has just found one! I talked to M Gaines tonight and he told me about the video. It is not a direct capture, instead a reflection from a large truck’s windshield. The video comes from a secure location and proper sign off is required to release the video. M Gaines watched the video and after analyzing the information he concluded the video supports the current search location. Gaines was focusing on finding videos between the location where he witnessed the fireball and the current estimated drop zone. I will post the video once it becomes available.
- July 5th, 2009 satellite imagery has been ordered.
- Aerial survey date tentatively set for mid next week. Working on flight plan, GPS programming and camera/equipment acquisition. All leading meteorite experts believe this fireball was a ’standard fall’ and did not leave any significant impact craters that would be visible from 100-200 feet in the air.
- Jeff from Coopersburg, PA wrote me today and tipped me off to the department inside the Air Force that captures, tracks and sometimes shares fireball data. I called them today and talked to someone on the first try. The person I spoke to was very nice, was familiar with what I was talking about and gave me the name and number for the Sergeant in charge of this (I left him a voice mail). I tried to follow up with an email, but I couldn’t get their online form to work, so I wrote him a letter and fedex’d it to him today.
- I’m working on new detailed maps of the search zones. The maps include marked and named roads, identified and numbered properties, land marks and estimated areas for different sized meteorites (based on Marc Fries strewn field map).   I have downloaded all of the land records for this area so I have pretty good data on who and where the land owners are. I’ve also already met and talked to about 15 of them. All of them have been incredibly nice and helpful. I will be posting the maps once they are ready.
- I’ve hired a writer friend of mine to do PR work. She will be putting out some direct mailers to land owners, businesses and churches in the area. She will also be trying to get the Lancaster news paper and other smaller town newspapers to run new stories about the meteorite search.
- I should be in the area talking to land owners and looking around 1-2 times this week/weekend.
- I added an Asteroids video game widget to the right sidebar of the blog. Click yes on the legal terms and conditions to go back to the 80s.
- My back is feeling much better (about 90%), thanks for caring

“Mobile Meteor Headquarters?”

Mobile Meteor Headquarters

This was kind of a surprise. Thanks for the support honey! This should work, but we’ll need to paint it black and air brush a Darth Vadar on there