Did you hear about this incredible discovery in Michigan?
A man had been unknowingly using one of the state’s largest meteorites as a simple doorstop for years.
It’s quite the story.
This rock, weighing a solid 10 kilograms, had been quietly serving its purpose on a farm.
But when experts finally took notice, they realized its true significance.
Mona Sirbescu, a geologist from Central Michigan University, was genuinely taken aback.
She remarked, “I could tell right away that this was something special.”
And she didn’t stop there, adding, “It’s the most valuable specimen I have ever held in my life, both monetarily and scientifically.”
The owner, David Mazurek, had kept this rock for about 30 years.
Thinking it might be a meteorite, he approached Sirbescu for confirmation.
She’s seen her fair share of rocks that people hoped were meteorites, but most turned out to be ordinary stones.
This time, however, was a delightful exception.
The rock, now known as the Edmore meteorite, is a rare find, rich in iron and nickel, with nickel making up an impressive 12% of its composition.
The story of how Mazurek acquired the meteorite is quite intriguing.
When he purchased a farm in 1988, the previous owner had been using this distinctive rock as a doorstop.
This previous owner shared a tale from the 1930s, recounting how he and his father witnessed the meteorite crash onto their property.
They excavated it from its impact crater the following day, and it was still warm to the touch.
As part of the property sale, the meteorite was handed over to Mazurek.
Over the years, Mazurek continued its use as a doorstop, with occasional school visits for his children’s show and tell.
However, upon realizing the potential value of meteorites, he decided to have his rock appraised.
Meteorites, given their rarity and scientific importance, can command significant prices.
As Sirbescu pointed out, “Meteorites can either be sold and displayed in a museum or sold to collectors looking to profit.”
In a fortunate turn of events, Mazurek sold the meteorite to Michigan State University’s Abrams Planetarium for a commendable $75,000.
In a gesture of gratitude, he’s donating 10% of the proceeds to CMU’s earth and atmospheric sciences department. Quite the transformation for what was just a “functional doorstop.”
Learn more about this $75,000 door-stop discovery in Central Michigan University’s video below!
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