When a meteorite is found, the ANSMET (Antarctic Search for Meteorites) team records its location, size, color, amount of fusion crust, probable type, and anything else that might be important.
Some of their tools are similar to those used by the Apollo astronauts to collect samples, and some are the latest high-tech (like Global Positioning Satellite navigation). The team takes great care not to contaminate the meteorites. Meteorites are handled only with stainless steel instruments, and are immediately sealed in sterile plastic or aluminum foil packages. Meteorites collected by the ANSMET team in Antarctica are packed in dry ice to mimic conditions in the field and shipped to the Antarctic Meteorite Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
Meteorite Hunters Full Size Image
Image Credit: NASA Johnson Space Center
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