Residents are excited that a hunk of metal found on Lutak Road last fall might be a meteorite, but two area scientists think it’s more likely a chunk of scrap.
Theories abound about the origin of a metallic rock found by construction flagger Della Brouillette last fall. Tests are underway to determine its origin, but lab results are inconclusive and low nickel levels suggest an earthbound history.
Brouillette found the five-by-seven inch, 12.5-pound oddity last September while working near 1 Mile Lutak Road. “The road had been graded over, but I saw something shiny, it was the corner of it sticking out,” said Brouillette.
She used a pry bar to dislodge the rock, which turned out to be both heavier and larger than she initially thought. She took it home and had it as a decoration in her house, moving it to the windowsill to reflect moonlight.
Brouillette showed the rock to several friends this winter, including one with an interest in meteorites. He cut off a piece and sent it to meteorite test lab in Arizona, but the first test was inconclusive.
Results from a second test found a low level of nickel, uncharacteristic of meteorites. The rock is 0.27 percent nickel and meteorites have at least one percent nickel, according to local geologist Cindy Buxton.
“There’s a good chance it’s manmade. I’ve never seen anything natural like this,” she said. Buxton thinks the object is steel, “a scrap left over from the steel manufacturing process.”
Buxton said results from tests performed on the rock by high school science teacher Mark Fontenot support this conclusion. However, she said she would like the lab in Arizona, which performed the nickel test, to test for other metals.
“I’m sure the rock has a very interesting story,” Buxton said.
High school science teacher Mark Fontenot also thinks the rock is from this planet, but still poses an interesting mystery. “I’m equally intrigued by it either way.”
Fontenot said the object generated interest amongst students, and that he tested it for specific density and magnetism. He said the low nickel content and the lack of crystal formations and fusion crust convinced him it is not a meteorite.
The object is the byproduct of a foundry or industrial process, he said. “But it’s very mysterious how it ended up where it ended up.”
Tests results showed the object was slightly more dense than iron, but less dense than silver and platinum.
Magnets stick to it, but it doesn’t act as a magnet, he said.
Brouillette said she found the rock after blasting work, but before fill had been brought in for the project.
If it isn’t a meteorite, it sure looks like one, said Fred Shields. “No doubt about it,” said the jeweler, who has attended an annual gem show in Arizona for the past two decades. The show includes meteorites and jewelry made from meteorites.
“Some have a really nice pattern,” after sliced and etched with acid.
Shields called a friend for a quote on the value of the rock and said he thinks it is a meteorite.
Amateur rock hound Rodney Hinson also thinks it is from outer space. “The flow patterns on the outside of it make it look like it’s really hot.”
Hinson studied geology in college and spent years hunting rocks all over the continental United States. “I would have loved to have found it. I would have been pretty proud to find something like that.”
Hinson stressed he is just a hobbyist, but that he’s convinced it is a meteorite.
“I may just be completely wrong, but that won’t be the first time. …I think it’s really cool.”
Brouillette said the find has turned her on to looking for rocks and she keeps a keen eye when working.
“From what I’ve been learning here, I am going to be more observant of rocks. This was just something I’ve never seen before.”