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Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

seti.org

21–30 of 75 posts

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#21
post #18
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is absolutely trivial as long as any fixed ground objects are visible in a camera and does not at all require some sub-pixel precision.

It's trivial to draw a line between some fixed points and extrapolate back to an origin if there's no external forces acting on the asteroid. But there is - planetary gravity, the moon, potentially the sun heating one side of it, atmospheric wind, weather, etc make a big difference. That makes it harder.

Also, a typical consumer camera is going to struggle (even with the best analysis!) to have visual accuracy within even a few degrees of true (due to everything from high compression ratios in post processing to shitty optical properties in the actual camera) and that makes a probability cone that is pretty large.

Still better than nothing, though!

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#22

Did someone pay him for the rare meteorite? At least enough to fix the roof? Who should one contact if this happens?

In the US, if a meteorite lands on your property, it's yours and you can sell or donate it as you please. This homeowner probably made a decent amount on the sale, especially with the emphasis on immediate preservation.

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#23

The real jackpot here is how this large chunk happened to impact a home belonging to an astute and prepared individual: He then immediately preserved and documented the entire scene using disposable gloves and aluminum foil to place the meteorite fragments in glass jars. I can think of many diverse reactions to a meteor strike, but even NASA is singing the praises of this guy and his quick thinking.

> The real jackpot here is how this large chunk happened to impact a home belonging to an astute and prepared individual:

Maybe chunks hit many people, but you only hear about the ones who are prepped and ready.

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#24

Did someone pay him for the rare meteorite? At least enough to fix the roof? Who should one contact if this happens?

The Vogon hyperspace development council.

Now you just need to find their contact details. Beware the Leopard!

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#25
Browsing that site, The SETI Institute appears to have expanded beyond its original goal of finding extraterrestrial intelligence into astrobiology and more. Perhaps the first attempts at detecting alien radio signals hoped too much?

I have little doubt that, given the infinite size of the universe, that extraterrestrial intelligence (of some sort) exists, the question is whether we will ever detect it... It perhaps even exists as close to us as Europa, should we attempt a landing there...

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#27
post #21
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's trivial to draw a line between some fixed points and extrapolate back to an origin if there's no external forces acting on the asteroid. But there is - planetary gravity, the moon, potentially the sun heating one side of it, atmospheric wind, weather, etc make a big difference. That makes it harder.

Also, a typical consumer camera is going to struggle (even with the best analysis!) to have visual accuracy within even a few degrees of true (due to everything from high compression ratios in post processing to shitty optical properties in the actual camera) and that makes a probability cone that is pretty large. Still better than nothing, though!

building a WCS model (pixel XY ray vectors) of a camera is a solved science. Of course you can never expect it to be rectangular.

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#28

Did someone pay him for the rare meteorite? At least enough to fix the roof? Who should one contact if this happens?

Everybody knows that. You contact NASA. Then a black helicopter will pick you up, bring you to an airbase and fly you straight to the white house, where you will be introduced to the actual truth, while a team of very excited scientists with biohazard suits praise and examine the artefact. If you're still sceptical, they will take you to a large hidden hangar in the middle of the desert and show you around.

Re: Alien World Chemistry Found Inside Meteorite That Struck New Jersey Home

#29
post #25

Browsing that site, The SETI Institute appears to have expanded beyond its original goal of finding extraterrestrial intelligence into astrobiology and more. Perhaps the first attempts at detecting alien radio signals hoped too much? I have little doubt that, given the infinite size of the universe, that extraterrestrial intelligence (of some sort) exists, the question is whether we will ever detect it... It perhaps…

No, ATTEMPT NO LANDING THERE!
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