Meteor Crater Blog

METEOR CRATER HOSTS UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE STUDENTS FOR THE ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE OF MAY 20TH 

Hi – Kim here. It is spring and that is the time of year that many school groups come to visit us here at Meteor Crater. This week one of our groups was Mesquite Elementary from Gilbert, AZ. They included us on their three day field trip to various sites. It was wonderful having them here.

Hi- Kim here. This month our "Hot Off the Press" is an article entitled “SIERRA FIREBALL DECODED”. You may have read about it, you may have even seen it. It was a fireball that tore across the sky and shook homes from Central California to Reno, NV It is estimated that the object was the size of a minivan!  You can see articles about this event on our Facebook page. You can read “SIERRA FIREBALL DECODED” at http://spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=25&month=04&year=2012

Hi – Kim here. Our observation decks provide a number of telescopes so you can see Meteor Crater up close and personal. This week we replaced two of the ones we had with brand new telescopes. Viewing through the telescopes is always free and included in the price of admission, so be sure to take a peak through them when you come to visit.

Hi – Kim here. This month we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Eugene Shoemaker. Dr Shoemaker was born on April 28, 1928. It was Dr. Shoemaker’s work at Meteor Crater that proved beyond any doubt it was caused by an impact event. Renowned both as a geologist and an astronomer, Dr. Shoemaker was also a member of the Board of Directors of The Spaceguard. A Nasa website tells us, “In1961 he took a leading role in the USGS venture, in Flagstaff, Arizona, into the study of "astrogeology", the Ranger missions to the moon and the training of the astronauts.” Tragically…

Hi-Kim here. This month our “Hot Off the Press” is the article “Asteroid 2011 AG5 – A Reality Check.” This article explains that, while this asteroid has been getting a lot of attention, it only ranks as a 1 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. The Torino Scale helps to rate the hazards that various objects pose to Earth.  “1” on the scale means, in part that, “Current calculations show the chance of collision is extremely unlikely with no cause for public attention or public concern.” The article goes on to say:

Hi Kim here. This week our new movie “IMPACT Mystery of Meteor Crater” started showing in our theater here at Meteor Crater. In this ten minute high definition film you will learn about our crater and see other craters throughout the world. You will hear about the importance of the Apollo astronaut training done here at Meteor Crater and why research continues even now. You will also discover why we study impacts and meteors. Plus the movie reveals information about tracking objects in space that might be heading our way. The movie is included in the price of admission so be sure to watch it when you come to visit us.

Hi – Kim here. On Wednesday I had the opportunity to give a presentation to the Rimstones Rock Club in Payson, AZ. We discussed the origin and history of Meteor Crater in addition to discussing the geology of the crater. They were a great group and I was glad I had the chance to meet with them

Hi – Kim here. This month marks the 3^rd  year anniversary of our Basket Meteorite’s return home.  The meteorite was originally found by a local rancher but was stolen from the museum on August 12, 1968 never to be seen again until….

Hi-Kim here. As you may know Meteor Crater has appeared in several documentaries. You can see one of these films on March 6 if you get the H2 (History 2) channel. It is called “Meteors: Fire in the Sky” and discusses what could happen if a meteorite hit in a metropolitan are. (spoiler alert: it wouldn’t be a good thing). So watch you local listings because you just never know when our crater might pop up on your TV.