Project Stardust South Coast Extension: Classification and Characterization of Micrometeorites found on the Southern Oregon Coast

Poster Image
Event poster; details follow in description
Poster Session
SCORE
Poster Number
A-02
Project Author(s)
Ethyn Killinger
Institution
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Project Description

Our research into micrometeorites with Project Stardust, focuses on recovery and analysis of micrometeorites found in various locations of Coos County, Oregon. The locations include North Bend High School, Southwestern Oregon Community College, and Empire Lake. Samples have been collected over the past three months. and continue to be collected while our current analysis is being completed. Samples are collected using two different magnetic retrieval methods. One method uses smaller magnets on the inside of drains along buildings. The magnet attracts any magnetic material that falls through the drain and comes in contact with our sample bags. Micrometeorites being largely iron or nickel in composition lend themselves to this magnetic retrieval process. Another method uses a larger magnet which can either drag or be held just off the ground in larger areas such as shoreline, trails, and rooftops. We have made approximately 10 different collections over the course of our study and present our analysis of the potential for any candidate meteorites in our samples.