Tim,

Through a long and arduous process, Hap McSween has given me your address and phone number. He informs me that you are the meteorite curator at the Smithsonian and that you will confirm my meteorite. All I can ask of you is that you actually take the time to investigate my claims, as I believe my rock represents a new kind of meteorite, the high silicon/highly vesicled type of Mars rock. Due to its unusual structure and composition (high silicon and therefore high melting point), the fusion crust is different than that of rocks with no vesicles and different composition. The rock is so delicate inside, that the traverse through the Earth's atmosphere has "welded" the outer layers into a sort of Martian egg shell. I must tell you that I don't know the rock is from Mars, although the evidence seems to lean that way. But I do know that this rock fell from the sky one night in the winter of 1971 and landed on a ranch near where I was sleeping.

Because of all the complications surrounding this rock, I would like to ask you to spend an hour or two reviewing the evidence before you make a hasty decision. I have shown this rock to several geologists who pronounce it terrestrial by opinion. These people wouldn't even bend over to look through a microscope to see the fusion crust which is clearly visible. Those that have looked, have seen the fusion crust and I have pictures at my web site. However, this rock is so unusual, that I still have not been able to get a conclusive planet of origin test done to date. It seems to me that many people claim to be an expert, but who is an expert in something that has never been seen before?

If you want to learn what I "know" about this rock, then you can visit my web site at www.micromike.com and go to the Mars section. I have addressed every argument that I have been given concerning possible Earthly origin scenarios, but I think the evidence is overwhelming, if examined completely and openly, that this rock could not have originated on the planet Earth. But until someone takes me seriously and runs scientific tests instead of giving opinions, then nobody will know for sure from whence this rock came.

If you don't want to visit my web site, I will be glad to go through all of the particulars over the phone with you. That would probably take about an hour depending on which objections you raise and whether you accept my explanations or not.

Humanity has much to gain and little to loose by determining the planet of origin of this rock. Please consider this situation carefully and help me if you can. My home phone is listed below, if you have questions or want to talk to me. I will be glad to send you a sample, as long as you promise to use scientific tests, rather than opinions.

Your friend,

micromike

e-mail mike@micromike.com