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In this photo of September 14, 2018 provided by Monaliza Sirbescu, professor at the School of Geology of Earth Sciences and Atmosphere, Central Michigan University, features a meteorite of more than 22 pounds that was used as a goal door on a farm in Edmore, Michigan. The Iron and Nickel Meteorite is the sixth largest meteorite in Michigan, according to the Smithsonian Museum and Central Michigan University. The owner, David Mazurek, said the meteorite was delivered with a barn purchased in 1988 in Edmore. He says the farmer who sold the property told him that it had landed in his garden in the 1930s. (Mackenzie Brockman / Central Michigan University via AP)
GREAT RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – A man from Michigan curious about a rock he had used for decades as a door goal knows the secret: it's a meteorite worth $ 100,000.
In fact, the piece of iron and nickel of nearly 23 pounds is the sixth largest meteorite found in Michigan, according to the Smithsonian Museum and Central Michigan University.
David Mazurek said that he went to the university for review after seeing pieces of meteorites sold for thousands of dollars in January.
"I said," Wait a minute. I wonder how much is mine, "Mazurek said.
The professor of geology at the university, Mona Sirbescu, first identified the room as being more than just a rock. She then sent two small slices of rock to the Smithsonian for confirmation.
"I could tell right away that it was something special," she said. "This is the most valuable specimen I have ever had in my life, financially and scientifically."
Mazurek said the meteorite had come with a barn bought in 1988 in Edmore. He stated that the farmer who sold the property told him that it had landed in his garden in the 1930s.
"The story goes that it was collected immediately after the big boom and that the meteorite was dug into a crater," Sirbescu said.
Other tests are in progress to determine if the meteorite contains rare elements.
"What usually happens with this is that meteorites can either be sold and displayed in a museum, or sold to collectors or sellers looking to make a profit," Sirbescu said.
The Smithsonian and a Museum of Maine Minerals are considering buying the specimen.
Mazurek said that when he will sell the meteorite, he will donate some of the money back to the university.
"I have finished using it as a door stop. Leave a buyer! "Said Mazurek.
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