Program News
Curator Comments
Kevin Righter, NASA-JSC
This newsletter announces the availability of 140 new meteorites collected from the 2018-19 and 2019-2020 ANSMET seasons in the Dominion Range (DOM). Samples include a CBb chondrite, a CM2 chondrite, and an ungrouped iron. In addition to these new samples, we announce the reclassification of many samples including all our CV chondrites, several other carbonaceous chondrites (CMs that were classified as COs), and a few more CO3 from the Dominion Range pairing group.
Re-classifications and/or pairing assessments
Updates to all CV chondrites in the US Antarctic meteorite collection
Reclassification and pairing based on Raman spectroscopy (petrologic types), and on EMPA determined Ni content of metal and sulfide, and magnetic susceptibility (Reduced, Oxidized A, and Oxidized B). Pairing based on find location, mineralogy, mineral composition, and petrologic type. Details are reported in Righter et al. (2022); doi: 10.1111/maps.13932.
| Sample | Original Mass | AMN | Classification | Pairing | Updated Classification | Updated pairing |
| ALH 81003 | 10.07 | 6,1 | CV3 Chondrite | ALH 81003 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | ALH 81003 |
| ALH 81258 | 1.083 | 8,1 | CV3 Chondrite | ALH 81003 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | ALH 81003 |
| ALH 84028 | 735.9 | 9,4 | CV3 Chondrite | ALH 84028 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | ALH 81003 |
| ALH 84037 | 3.04 | 9,2 | CV3 Chondrite | ALH 84028 | CV reduced 3.5 | - |
| ALH 85006 | 48.96 | 9,3 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.5 | - | |
| DOM 08476 | 25.079 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | - | |
| DOM 10102 | 61.072 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | DOM 10102 | |
| DOM 10257 | 11.72 | 37,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | DOM 10102 | |
| DOM 10351 | 38.374 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | DOM 10102 | |
| EET 92128 | 1.241 | 17,3 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.1 | - | |
| EET 96026 | 225.997 | 21,1 | CV3 Chondrite (Reduced) | CV oxidized A 3.5 | - | |
| GRA 06101 | 3555 | 30,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | GRA 06101 | |
| GRA 06130 | 13.639 | 30,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | GRA 06101 | |
| GRO 95652 | 93.326 | 21,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | - | |
| LAP 02206 | 1284.6 | 26,2 | CV3 Chondrite | LAP 02206 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | LAP 02206 |
| LAP 02228 | 335.8 | 26,2 | CV3 Chondrite | LAP 02206 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | LAP 02206 |
| LAP 04843 | 108.639 | 29,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | LAP 02206 | |
| LAR 04364 | 5.823 | 30,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | LAR 04364 | |
| LAR 06317 | 167.168 | 31,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | LAR 06317 | |
| LAR 06628 | 27.04 | 31,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | LAR 06317 | |
| LAR 06867 | 6.545 | 31,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | LAR 06317 | |
| LAR 12002 | 4855 | 36,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | LAR 06317 | |
| LAR 12049 | 23.134 | 36,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | LAR 06317 | |
| LAR 12100 | 24.572 | 36,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | LAR 04364 | |
| LAR 12154 | 47.2 | 39,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.7 | - | |
| LEW 86006 | 0.834 | 10,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | - | |
| MAC 02528 | 5.607 | 27,3 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.1 | - | |
| MCY 05219 | 144.994 | 29,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | - | |
| MET 00429 | 30.485 | 25,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 00429 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 00430 | 151.7 | 25,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 00429 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 00634 | 3.064 | 26,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 00634 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 00742 | 1.189 | 26,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 00634 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 00747 | 5.036 | 26,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 00634 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 00761 | 5.984 | 26,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 00634 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 01017 | 238 | 26,2 | CV3 Chondrite (Anomalous) | CV reduced 3.7 | - | |
| MET 01074 | 46.198 | 25,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 01074 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MET 01080 | 3.449 | 25,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MET 01074 | CV oxidized B 3.6 | MET 00429 |
| MIL 07002 | 758.387 | 31,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 | |
| MIL 07277 | 34.096 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 | |
| MIL 07385 | 3.847 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07403 | 0.53 | 33,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07590 | 1.75 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07597 | 0.98 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07597 |
| MIL 07669 | 15.75 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07671 | 19.42 | 32,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07678 | 7.66 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07681 | 20.69 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07683 | 3.08 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07684 | 1.31 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07685 | 9.66 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07686 | 13.38 | 32,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07690 | 4.933 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07691 | 3.998 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07694 | 12.738 | 33,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07696 | 16.447 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07697 | 15.47 | 32,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07597 |
| MIL 07698 | 25.1 | 32,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 07699 | 1.958 | 33,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090072 | 281.5 | 33,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090170 | 2.5 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090171 | 10.4 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090172 | 0.56 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090173 | 2.05 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090174 | 0.78 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090175 | 2.43 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090176 | 3.6 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090177 | 1.09 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090178 | 0.74 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090179 | 1.2 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090184 | 0.65 | 34,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 090354 | 0.781 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV reduced 3.7 | MIL 07597 |
| MIL 090444 | 1.06 | 34,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV reduced 3.7 | MIL 07597 |
| MIL 090646 | 11.395 | 35,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 | |
| MIL 090677 | 3.94 | 35,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 | |
| MIL 090981 | 38.49 | 35,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.1-3.6 | - | |
| MIL 091010 | 51.66 | 33,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 07590 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 |
| MIL 11097 | 69.63 | 36,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized B 3.6 | - | |
| MIL 11206 | 40.03 | 35,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 | |
| MIL 13032 | 0.595 | 40,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 13067 | 2.462 | 39,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 13117 | 0.78 | 39,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 13118 | 0.709 | 39,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 13241 | 0.642 | 40,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 13328 | 69.008 | 38,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 15123 | 55.684 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15148 | 3.92 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15192 | 12.391 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15227 | 2.511 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15229 | 2.888 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15230 | 30.116 | 39,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 13328 | |
| MIL 15240 | 5.41 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15247 | 7.41 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15254 | 21.468 | 41,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15254 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15255 | 7.492 | 41,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15254 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15257 | 11.258 | 41,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15254 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15264 | 4.542 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15265 | 5.6 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15268 | 4.018 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15306 | 9.012 | 42,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV oxidized A 3.7 | MIL 07590 | |
| MIL 15363 | 21.517 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15381 | 181.02 | 39,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | - | |
| MIL 15472 | 2.32 | 42,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 | |
| MIL 15480 | 10.816 | 42,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15480 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15511 | 10.3 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15516 | 3.29 | 42,1 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15123 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15524 | 1.39 | 40,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15524 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15555 | 4.483 | 42,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15480 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| MIL 15565 | 0.85 | 40,2 | CV3 Chondrite | MIL 15524 | CV reduced 3.6 | MIL 07277 |
| QUE 93429 | 7.76 | 18,1 | CV3 Chondrite | QUE 93429 | CV reduced 3.6 | QUE 93429 |
| QUE 93639 | 1.612 | 18,2 | CV3 Chondrite | QUE 93429 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | QUE 93639 |
| QUE 93744 | 7.66 | 18,2 | CV3 Chondrite | QUE 93429 | CV reduced 3.6 | QUE 93429 |
| QUE 94366 | 0.803 | 19,1 | CV3 Chondrite | QUE 94366 | CV reduced 3.6 | QUE 93429 |
| QUE 94546 | 1.795 | 19,1 | CV3 Chondrite | QUE 94366 | CV reduced 3.6 | QUE 93429 |
| QUE 94688 | 10.55 | 19,2 | CV3 Chondrite | QUE 93429 | CV oxidized A 3.7 | QUE 93639 |
| QUE 97186 | 72.712 | 22,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | QUE 93429 | |
| RBT 04133 | 459.4 | 31,1 | CV3 Chondrite (Reduced) | CV reduced 3.6 | RBT 04133 | |
| RBT 04143 | 89.562 | 30,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | RBT 04133 | |
| RBT 04302 | 11.608 | 29,2 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.6 | RBT 04133 | |
| RKP 80241 | 0.62 | 5,1 | CV3 Chondrite | CV reduced 3.05 | - |
MIL 090073
Originally classified as a CO3, the sample has H, C, and N bulk and isotopic composition, as well as O isotopic composition and degree of aqueous alteration, that are consistent with CM2. Details are reported in Alexander et al. (2018) GCA 221, 406-430.
BUC 10943
Originally classified as a CO3, the sample has H, C, and N bulk and isotopic composition, as well as O isotopic composition and degree of aqueous alteration, that are consistent with CM2. Details are reported in Alexander et al. (2018) GCA 221, 406-430.
DOM 10900
Originally classified as a CO3 and part of the DOM 08004 pairing group, the sample has H, C, and N bulk and isotopic, cosmic ray exposure age, magnetic susceptibility, and thermoluminescence properties that are distinct from the DOM 08004 and other DOM CO3 pairing groups. It is therefore unpaired from DOM 08004. Details are reported in Righter et al. (2023) LPSC, #2139.
DOM 18070
Originally classified as a CO3 and part of the DOM 08004 pairing group, the sample has H, C, and N bulk and isotopic, cosmic ray exposure age, magnetic susceptibility, and thermoluminescence properties that are distinct from the DOM 08004 and other DOM CO3 pairing groups. It is therefore unpaired from DOM 08004. It has a lower CRE age (~ 7 Ma) similar to DOM 14359 (~5 Ma), but still different and outside of error on the age. Details are reported in Righter et al. (2023) LPSC, #2139.
DOM 18286
Originally classified as a CO3 and part of the DOM 08004 pairing group, the sample has H, C, and N bulk and isotopic, cosmic ray exposure age (~82 Ma), magnetic susceptibility, and thermoluminescence properties that are distinct from the DOM 08004 and other DOM CO3 pairing groups. It is therefore unpaired from DOM 08004. Details are reported in Righter et al. (2023) LPSC, #2139.
DOM 19034
Originally classified as a CO3 and part of the DOM 08004 pairing group, the sample has H, C, and N bulk and isotopic, cosmic ray exposure age (~3 Ma), magnetic susceptibility, and thermoluminescence properties that are distinct from the DOM 08004 and other DOM CO3 pairing groups. It is therefore unpaired from DOM 08004. Details are reported in Righter et al. (2023) LPSC, #2139.
CB chondrites
MAC 02675 has small chondrules (mm size and smaller) and is clearly a CBb chondrite; see the detailed discussion in Krot et al. (2009) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73, 4963-4997.
MIL 05082 and its pairs (MIL 07404, MIL 07411, MIL 07558, MIL 07588, MIL 07598, MIL 090985) have cm-sized chondrules, and are clearly part of the CBa subgroup of CB chondrites; see more detailed discussion in Weisberg, M.K. and Righter, K. (2014). Primitive Asteroids. In 35 Seasons of U.S. Antarctic Meteorites (1976–2010) (eds K. Righter, C.M. Corrigan, T.J. McCoy and R.P. Harvey).
PI Responsibilities
We would like to remind PIs of several of their responsibilities regarding meteorite sample loans:
- Please return any samples that have not been used for > 5 years.
- Please return thin or thick sections at any time when you realize your research on that section is finished.
- If you know you will retire soon or are no longer active in research, please prepare samples for return.
- If you have recently moved or changed addresses, please send us your new contact information, including a new email address.
- Please sign and return the sample assignment forms when you receive samples, that is the only way we know that samples have been received.
Loan Agreement Renewals
Loan agreements are renewed every 5 years, if your loan is expired or if you have changed institutions, we will be sending you a new loan that needs to be updated. Please take action as soon as possible, contact us if there are any issues. If you hold any Antarctic meteorite samples, you need a current loan agreement or samples need to be returned or will be recalled. There are several options when filling out the loan agreement list below, any of these options will work:
- we will send a PDF that can be filled and printed out for scanning
- you can print it to a PDF file and then fill in the areas using "fill and sign" option in Adobe Reader
- you can print, sign, and scan the signature pages and email them to us
Reminder – Sign Return Your Annual Inventory
To avoid getting weekly e-mails from us, please sign and return your inventory when you receive it. This is a good time to verify samples and return those that are no longer needed.
Acknowledgement In Publications
When publishing results of your research, please include the split numbers used in the research. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you to acknowledge the various programs and agencies that have enabled collection, characterization, and distribution of Antarctic meteorites for research. We recommend the following acknowledgement statement be used in all publications resulting from research carried out on samples from our collection:
"US Antarctic meteorite samples are recovered by the Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) program which has been funded by NSF and NASA and characterized and curated by the Department of Mineral Sciences of the Smithsonian Institution and Astromaterials Curation Office at NASA Johnson Space Center."
Astromaterials Data Repository
Investigators who produce geochemical data from meteorites or other astromaterials samples are encouraged to utilize the Astromaterials Data Repository (AstroRepo) to openly share their data in compliance with Open Data policies of funding agencies and publishers. AstroRepo is a trusted repository service for researchers to publish and archive astromaterials sample data. Dataset files can be easily submitted via a web interface and can be kept under moratorium for up to two years. AstroRepo links the datasets to related publications and NASA award numbers.
AstroRepo is part of the Astromaterials Data System (http://www.astromat.org), a data infrastructure that stores, curates, and provides access to laboratory data acquired on samples curated in the Astromaterials Collection of the Johnson Space Center. Please feel free to contact us at info@astromat.org with any questions. Astromat data curators are available to help you with publishing your data and provide advise on how you can 'rescue' personal or institutional legacy data sets that are in danger of being lost and ensure their long-term impact on scientific advances, making them accessible in a sustainable manner.
Report from the Smithsonian
Cari Corrigan, Research Geologist (Dept. of Mineral Sciences)
This newsletter announces the classification of 140 new meteorites. The Department of Mineral Sciences recently acquired a new dual EDS Thermo Quattro-S FEG-SEM on which all of the equilibrated ordinary chondrites (EOCs) were analyzed for classification for this newsletter. Non-EOCs were analyzed using both electron microprobe and optical microscopy. We continue to be able to work together in person to perform analyses, review data and describe meteorites, which is a great relief.
On a personnel note, Cari Corrigan has been converted from a Trust employee to a permanent federal civil servant position as the Curator of Antarctic Meteorites at the Smithsonian, which strengthens the long term stability of, and commitment to, the institution’s involvement in the U.S. Antarctic Meteorite Program. We also welcomed Dr. John Christoph as a Peter J. Buck Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Mineral Sciences. John recently completed his Ph.D. at Arizona State University and will be studying space weathering of iron meteorites. We look forward to working with him!
ANSMET Report
Jim Karner, University of Utah
Happy New Year from ANSMET! We are glad to report that ANSMET was recently chosen for funding for another five austral summer field seasons, starting later this year (2023-24) and running through 2027-28. That will officially bring the project through our 50th anniversary! Currently we're in an extension that bridges the gap between the new grant and our previous awards. Like previous proposals our latest was competitively reviewed, this time with support coming from the cleverly-named YORPD (Yearly Opportunities for Research in Planetary Defense) program. Like previous iterations, the new grant funds ANSMET leadership personnel (Jim Karner, Ralph Harvey, John Schutt and Brian Rougeux), travel, field supplies that aren't provided by the US Antarctic program, and provides financial support at a level that will allow for yearly expeditions and a rate of Antarctic meteorite recoveries similar to what you've seen in the past. There are some changes, however, among the biggest of which is that Ralph is stepping down to Co-I, and I'm (Jim) stepping up to PI. The new grant will be run out of the University of Utah (Go Utes!).
As you may know, ANSMET was cancelled for the 2022-23 season...but that didn't stop us from recovering meteorites from Antarctica this year! Well, not us exactly. Last summer we heard that a couple of science projects were deploying to known blue ice areas, so we contacted their PIs and sent them each a meteorite collection kit – basically just a duffle with tongs, Teflon bags, tags and tape, plus a short guide explaining how to identify and collect a meteorite. We routinely reach out to other Antarctic field parties and educate them on the value of bringing potential meteorite samples to our program, and in this case it paid off, see the pic below. So, even though we didn't deploy, two new meteorites are on their way to JSC right now!
Finally, ANSMET is thrilled to announce that we're in the process of planning the upcoming field season with NSF, right now. This early planning is pretty much standard operating procedure, thus it's not a guarantee that we will get into the field. In fact, several field projects were cancelled very late last year. We're excitedly proceeding with the planning and we remain cautiously optimistic about a triumphant return to the field in 2023-24!
