Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: atbsphotography on 11/05/2018 20:32:05

Title: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: atbsphotography on 11/05/2018 20:32:05

So I've had this rock in my little collection for a while, I picked it up when I was about 14-15 so roughly 10 years ago, it's not magnetic but metallic in nature, haven't a clue what it could be but I'm sort of more interested in the dent in it, it's the perfect shape for a fingerprint, and has bumps an grooves reminiscent of a fingerprint also.

(https://i.imgur.com/vC5jEsk.jpg)

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: chris on 11/05/2018 23:31:27

Can you tell us more about it - where it came from, for instance?

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: RD on 12/05/2018 00:29:03

Quote from: atbsphotography on 11/05/2018 20:32:05

... I'm sort of more interested in the dent in it, it's the perfect shape for a fingerprint,
and has bumps an grooves reminiscent of a fingerprint also.

[ Hint hint  (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/regmaglypt) ]

It could be a meteorite : I can't see anything meteorwrong (http://meteorites.wustl.edu/realities.htm) ...


possible meteorite (higher contrast).jpg (102.33 kB . 708x746 - viewed 8053 times)

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: Bill S on 12/05/2018 01:21:52

Alien fingerprint?? :)

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: RD on 12/05/2018 05:33:41

If there are  flow lines (https://www.google.com/search?q=meteorite+flow+lines+stony&tbm=isch) in the dark areas, then i think you're definitely onto a winner ...


flow lines Vs Unknown.jpg (109.12 kB . 1157x430 - viewed 7305 times)
http://www.meteorites.de/jpg/cdonga240.jpg

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: chris on 12/05/2018 07:48:50

I learned a new word today - "regmaglypt" - thanks @RD

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: chris on 14/05/2018 20:24:08

On the Naked Scientists Radio Show (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts) this week one of the guests brought in a fist-sized iron-nickel meteorite collected from a body that landed in South America a few hundred years ago.

I was able to correctly identify the regmaglypts and flow lines that were all over its surface! The assembled crowd were very impressed. What a wonderful educational environment this is!

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: atbsphotography on 16/05/2018 18:49:48

Thank you @chris @RD it seems it does have flow lines on both sides, I very rarely actually handle it so it was nice to find out what it actually is. Thank you.

Title: Re: What is this stone with a thumbprint-shaped surface impression?
Post by: RD on 16/05/2018 19:05:20

Quote from: atbsphotography on 16/05/2018 18:49:48

... nice to find out what it actually is ...

Try posting the image on a meteorite-specific forum to make sure, e.g. ...
http://meteorites.ning.com/forum/topics/is-this-a-meteorite-post-meteorite-id-questions-to-this-thread-on (http://meteorites.ning.com/forum/topics/is-this-a-meteorite-post-meteorite-id-questions-to-this-thread-on)