ANSMET’S GUIDE TO Recovering Antarctic

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First Edition, Dec. 2010 2010-2011 FIELD SEASON THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC RECOVERY

CONTENTS Purpose of this guide ...... 3 Where meteorites are found ...... 4 How to identify a meteorite ...... 5 How to collect a meteorite ...... 6 What to do after you’ve collected it ...... 7 Misc. field portraits of Antarctic meteorites ...... 8

APPENDICES NSF Regulations, the formal version ...... 10 Contact Information ...... 12 Your reward ...... 12 In the event you find an alien life form ...... 12

The ANSMET Meteorite Dance

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Why Meteorites Are Important

Above: MIL 03346, a representative of the group of meteorites thought to originate on Left: Most meteorites are 4.56 billion years old and represent material relatively unprocessed since the solar system first formed.

Meteorites are a unique scientific was born; and unlike astronomical Newsletter and requests for material to resource observations subject to interpretation study are made year-round. This is in There are two basic ways to from remote distances, meteorites can contrast to privately recovered characterize the value of Antarctic be studied with the full power of meteorites, of which only a small meteorites. First, sources of earthbound laboratories. fraction is typically available to science extraterrestrial material are rare; after ANSMET (usually to the highest bidder). meteorite recoveries, the only other Among the many meteorite Since 1976 NSF and NASA have source of recovered non-microscopic recovery efforts supported by supported the ANSMET program, extraterrestrial material is the Apollo governmental agencies and private ensuring a continuous supply of these collection of rocks. Delivered to groups, the Antarctic Search for important research materials. The US Earth by gravitational interactions in Meteorites program (ANSMET) is Antarctic Program strongly space, meteorites are our only source unique. All the specimens collected by encourages researchers to keep their of macroscopic samples of other ANSMET are made available to eyes open for meteorites during field bodies such as , Mars or researchers without fee and without work; this publication has been even Mercury. regard to nationality or funding status. designed to serve as a guide to Second, if science can be 100% of all recovered specimens are meteorite identification and recovery. characterized as a search for origins, made available within 3 years of arrival you can’t go further back than in the US; descriptions of newly meteorites. Most meteorites remain NEXT available specimens are published Where to find meteorites (likely little changed since our solar system biannually in the Antarctic Meteorite hiding places). Page 3 THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY

Where Meteorites Are Found

Above: The best place to find meteorites is high-altitude blue ice. If you spot a rock that’s uphill and inland of any terrestrial rock source, it’s very likely to be a meteorite. Left: Moraines near high-altitude blue ice often harbor meteorites, but they’re also much harder to recognize in that setting.

Meteorites can be anywhere Only a small proportion of blue ice areas wind or simply sliding downhill. Meteorites There’s no magical connection harbor meteorite concentrations; typically can be highly concentrated in such areas between and meteorites; just those moving slowly and at higher altitude making moraines valuable locations for some favorable natural circumstances. on the edge of the East Antarctic Plateau. searches, but the abundance of terrestrial Low rates of weathering, sedimentation But in some areas, number densities can lithologies can create a daunting and snow accumulation mean meteorites reach a thousand meteorites per square background. survive longer and make up a higher kilometer. Old Surfaces percentage of the stuff piling up on local On blue ice regions far from any Antarctica abounds in non-ice surfaces. In addition, glacial motion can source of terrestrial rock, almost any rock surfaces that have seen little sedimentation concentrate meteorites in some favorable you find is likely to be a meteorite. on timescales approaching millions of settings. Meteorites can also be found on blue ice years. These old surfaces offer decent Blue Ice closer to bedrock where they may be potential for meteorite discovery, Blue ice areas form when enhanced mixed in with terrestrial rocks. particularly if the local terrestrial rocks and localized sublimation leads to exposure of Moraines sediment aren’t too confusing. deep glacial ice. This natural removal of Moraines formed where ice interacts NEXT the ice, although slow, can go on for with bedrock often contain meteorites; How to identify a potential meteorite hundreds of thousands of years, and the typically smaller specimens moved by the (what to look for). result can be a lag-deposit of meteorites. Page 4 THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY

Identifying Meteorites

Above: The majority of Antarctic meteorites are at least partially covered by fusion crust, a dark burned- or glassy-looking layer of melted rock distinct from interior lithologies. Left top: some meteorites develop a unique shiny or metallic patina. Left bottom: Others may have little fusion crust, or strangely colored fusion crust.

Fusion crust and is rarely more than a few mm in and can show significant spots of rust The most distinctive feature of thickness. Fusion crusts can range (many meteorites contain native metal meteorites and the one that most often from a matte black, polygonally- that oxidizes very easily). Meteorite distinguishes them from terrestrial fractured surface reminiscent of a lithologies are distinct from most rocks is fusion crust. On their way to charcoal briquet to a smooth glassy terrestrial lithologies, so any rock that the ground, meteorites develop a thin black like furnace slag. Fusion crust is just “looks different” has potential, shell of melt as 20 km/s of momentum almost always black, but can vary in whether or not you’re a trained is turned into thermal energy within the color depending on the minerals being geologist. ANY rock suspected of Earth’s atmosphere. The resulting layer melted; grey, green and even yellowish having fusion crust is worth of melt, once solidified, is called fusion crust has been noted on some recovering; and if you spot something fusion crust. With notable exceptions, unusual specimens. that just seems exceptionally out of fusion crust is notably distinct from a Other clues place, don’t leave that behind either. meteorite’s interior and much darker In the absence of fusion crust, than the weathering rind common on other clues can help one recognize native Antarctic rocks. It often shows meteorites. Meteorites are often well- NEXT flow lines and oozy features rounded in comparison to their How to collect a potential characteristic of a semi-liquid state; terrestrial neighbors, different in size meteorite (procedures). Page 5 THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY How to Collect a Meteorite

Above: Researchers are preparing to bag the specimen while preparing to photograph the find, plant a flag to mark the site and collecting the latitude and longitude by GPS. Right: Document your finds with a smile! More information is good.

Procedures NSF regulations specify the find are key. If you can include a scale specimen and pick it up without your strict procedures for meteorite collection and the sample name, even better! hands touching the meteorite. If a by formal recovery expeditions; luckily, Mark the find site with a flag or cairn if specimen appears friable, wrap it in less strict protocols apply to serendipitous possible so ANSMET can revisit the site. If crumpled foil or a second bag. Include all meteorite discoveries. Here’s a summary a GPS is available, the latitude and the fragments in the same bag. Try to of procedures designed to retain as much longitude of the find greatly facilitates a shake out any loose snow, and then seal scientific value as possible. return visit. the bag to prevent further contamination. Examine it Anthropogenic Field notes including the above data If you include a tag with the meteorite contamination is the bane of meteorite and anecdotal observations such as snow name or ID, try to put it in a fold of the bag geochemists; so if you encounter a and ice adhering to the specimen, that won’t touch the specimen. possible meteorite, avoid touching it. If similarity to other specimens, or Store it The ideal way to store a you need to roll it over for a closer look, inadvertent contamination, are extremely recovered meteorite is under ambient valuable if you can provide them. Don’t do so with a chunk or ice or nearby rock. conditions: keep it frozen if you can. Make sure your nose doesn’t drip on the forget your own contact information! Please don’t leave a meteorite sealed in a specimen and gloves or sunglasses don’t Bag it When a field party knows they’ll bag sitting in the sun; the miniature fall on it. Inadvertent contact happens, so be visiting possible meteorite sites, greenhouse created will lead to secondary don’t stress over it; but document any ANSMET can provide collection kits mineral formation and leaching within the contamination that might occur. including steel forceps, clean plastic bags, rock. Document it Give the find a unique sealing tape, identification tags, and a name or number that clearly distinguishes notebook with scalebar. If you have NEXT it from other finds. Include this name on these, use them! But in their absence, What to do after recovering the your written notes and in or on the any clean plastic bag or foil will do. Try meteorite. specimen bag. not to touch the meteorite with dirty tools; Photograph the meteorite in situ if often you can put an open bag over the Page 6 possible. Pictures that reveal the setting of THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY What to do with a recovered meteorite

Left: the Antarctic Meteorite receiving lab at the NASA Johnson Space Center. Above: a good day’s haul, ready for McMurdo.

Storage you have “Keep Frozen” samples for By virtue of having been kept in a delivery during your pull-out from the Can I learn more about the natural deep-freeze, Antarctic field. The container holding the specimens I recovered? meteorites preserve significant meteorite specimens should be It takes a minimum of about 6 chemical information lost in finds from prominently labelled “For G-058”. months for the specimens to be made other regions. Ideally meteorites ANSMET is typically one of the last available to science. A web-based should be kept frozen at all times. field parties to leave Antarctica in the publication called The Antarctic It’s probably a good idea to keep season, which allows your specimens Meteorite Newsletter is published the meteorites in a secure place, and to be shipped home within our existing twice yearly and contains initial not overtly labelled. People are containers and procedures. descriptions of all newly-available naturally curious about meteorites and Where do they go? samples. Scientists around the world sometimes the desire to handle them The meteorites are sent home by use this newsletter as a guide to can overwhelm their sense of ship, and kept frozen until they reach requesting samples for their own work. responsibility. This is particularly a their final destination, the Antarctic All of the samples are renamed during problem once you’re in McMurdo; a Meteorite Receiving Lab at NASA’s the characterization process; but the box in a cargo yard labelled Johnson Space Center. There they are Antarctic Meteorite Curator or “METEORITES” can be hard for many carefully thawed in dry nitrogen, ANSMET PI can help you follow your to resist. sectioned, and characterized. specimens through the system. In McMurdo Scientists from the Smithsonian Contact information is available on The Crary Lab is prepared to Institution add to the description of the page 12. receive any meteorites you may have samples. This characterization process found. If possible, deliver your has been carefully designed to help NEXT specimens to a Crary lab supervisor in classify the specimen to a minimal Field portraits of selected Antarctic person, and they will make sure they level only, leaving significant potential meteorites. are stored in an appropriate freezer. for discoveries by subsequent Page 7 Otherwise alert Science Cargo that researchers. THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY Misc. field portraits of Antarctic Meteorites

Clockwise from upper left: lunar gabbro; aerodynamically-shaped ordinary ; rounded ; typical H- chondrite, strongly resembling Ferrar Dolerite but with fusion crust; with shiny fusion crust; unique achondrite.

Page 8 THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY Misc. field portraits of Antarctic Meteorites

Clockwise from upper left: ordinary chondrite; weathered and evaporite-bearing ; typical ordinary chondrite; ordinary chondrite in moraine, showing contrast with Ferrar cobbles; achondrite with glassy black fusion crust; heavily-weathered ordinary chondrite.

Page 9 THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY Appendix 1: Federal Regulations regarding Antarctic Meteorite Recovery (NSF regulation 45 CFR Part 674, RIN 3145-AA40; from the Federal Register, Vol 68, No. 61, p.15378)

Antarctic Meteorites citizens collecting meteorites in The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 AGENCY: National Science Foundation Antarctica, regardless of the location (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its (NSF). from which the expedition is organized. implementing regulations, 5 CFR part ACTION: Final rule. Consistent with other regulations 1320, do not apply to the rule because SUMMARY: NSF is issuing a final rule that implementing U.S. obligations under there are less than ten U.S. entities authorizes the collection of meteorites the Antarctic Treaty, the more detailed which annually organize expeditions to in Antarctica for scientific research requirements for preparation and plans Antarctica for the purpose of collecting purposes only. In addition, the and submissions of information to NSF meteorites. Finally, NSF has reviewed regulations provide requirements for are limited to expeditions for which the this rule in light of section 2 of appropriate collection, handling, and United States is required to provide Executive Order 12778 and I certify for curation of Antarctic meteorites to advance notification under the Antarctic the National Science Foundation that preserve their scientific value. These Treaty. NSF believes that this obligation this rule meets the applicable standards regulations implement Article 7 of the is appropriately apportioned. provided in sections 2(a) and 2(b) of that Protocol on Environmental Protection to Another commenter expressed order. the Antarctic Treaty and are issued concern that the exception for List of Subjects in 45 CFR Part 674 pursuant to Section 6 of the Antarctic serendipitous finds could result in Antarctica, Meteorites, Research. Conservation Act, as amended by the meteorites ʻʻfall[ing] through the Dated: March 24, 2003. Antarctic Science, Tourism and regulatory cracks before arriving at a Amy Northcutt, Conservation Act of 1996. curation site.ʼʼ Section 674.7 provides Deputy General Counsel, National Science DATES: The rule is effective April 30, that serendipitous finds must be Foundation. 2003. handled in a manner that minimizes FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: contamination and must otherwise be For the reasons set forth in the Anita Eisenstadt, Office of the General documented in accordance with the preamble, the National Science Counsel, at 703–292–8060. requirements of § 674.5. This approach Foundation is adding 45 CFR part 674 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August recognizes that serendipitous finds will to read as follows: 27, 2002, the NSF published a proposed occur and assures that the opportunity PART 674—ANTARCTIC METEORITES rule authorizing the collection of to collect these specimens for scientific Sec. meteorites in Antarctica for scientific purposes is not lost. NSF believes that 674.1 Purpose of regulations. research purposes only. NSF invited the requirement for documenting and 674.2 Scope and applicability. public comments on the proposed rule. curating serendipitous finds provides an 674.3 Definitions. NSF received nine comments on the appropriate mechanism for adequately and 674.4 Restrictions on collection of proposed rule. All of the commenters accurately tracking Antarctic meteorites. meteorites in Antarctica. were supportive of the proposed rule. Another commenter suggested 674.5 Requirements for collection, One of the commenters suggested that technical revisions to the handling handling, documentation and curation of NSF revise § 674.5(3)(ii) to recognize requirements in Section 674.5 (b)(1) to Antarctic meteorites. that in some cases, a meteorite will not reflect current research laboratory 674.6 Submission of information to NSF. belong to any well-established practices. These revisions have been 674.7 Exception for serendipitous finds. classification. NSF agrees with this adopted in the final regulation. All other Authority: 16 U.S.C. 2401 et seq. comment and has revised the language comments were appropriately § 674.1 Purpose of regulations. accordingly. considered in the promulgation of this The purpose of the regulations in this Another commenter requested final rule. part is to implement the Antarctic clarification whether or not meteorites Determinations Conservation Act of 1978, as amended are considered mineral resources. As NSF has determined, under the by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and noted in the preamble to the proposed criteria set forth in Executive Order Conservation Act of 1996, (16 U.S.C rule, the authority for this rule derives 12866, that this rule is not a significant 2401 et seq.), and Article 7 of the from Article 7 of the Protocol on regulatory action requiring review by Protocol on Environmental Protection to Environmental Protection to the the Office of Information and Regulatory the Antarctic Treaty done at Madrid on Antarctic Treaty which states that ʻʻany Affairs. The rule is not a major rule October 4, 1991. Specifically, this part activity relating to mineral resources, under the Congressional Review Act. is designed to ensure meteorites in other than scientific research, shall be The Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of Antarctica will be collected for prohibited.ʼʼ These regulations 1995 (Pub. L. 104–4), in sections 202 scientific research purposes only and implement this provision of the Protocol and 205, requires that agencies prepare that U.S. expedition organizers to with respect to meteorites. analytic statements before proposing Antarctica who plan to collect The same commenter raised concerns any rule that may result in annual meteorites in Antarctica will ensure that that the definition of expedition would expenditures of $100 million by State, any specimens collected will be enable U.S. citizens to avoid application local, Indian Tribal governments, or the properly collected, handled, of the rule by organizing expeditions to private sector. Since this rule will not documented and curated to preserve Antarctica in a foreign country. NSF result in expenditures of this their scientific value. notes that the restriction in § 674.4 magnitude, it is hereby certified that § 674.2 Scope and applicability. against collecting meteorites in such statements are not necessary. As This part applies to any person who Antarctic for other than scientific required by the Regulatory Flexibility collects meteorites in Antarctica. The research purposes applies to any person Act, it is hereby certified this rule will requirements of § 674.5 apply to any subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. not have significant impact on a person organizing an expedition to or This provision would extend to U.S. substantial number of small businesses. within Antarctica for which the United

Page 10 THE ANSMET GUIDE TO ANTARCTIC METEORITE RECOVERY Appendix 1: Federal Regulations (continued)

States is required to give advance notice (i) Handling the samples with clean at the curatorial facility; under Paragraph (5) of Article VII of the Teflon or polyethylene coated (v) Submit information on Antarctic Treaty where one of the implements or stainless steel classification of the meteorite to an purposes of the expedition is to collect implements (or equivalent); internationally recognized meteorite meteorites in Antarctica. The (ii) Double bagging of samples in research catalog, such as the ʻʻCatalogue requirements in this part only apply to Teflon or polyethylene (or equivalent) of Meteoritesʼʼ published by the Natural the collection of meteorites in bags; History Museum of London or the Antarctica after April 30, 2003. (iii) A unique sample identifier ʻʻMeteoritical Bulletinʼʼ published by the § 674.3 Definitions. included with the sample; Meteoritical Society; In this part: (iv) Keeping the samples frozen at or (vi) Specify procedures by which Antarctica means the area south of 60 below ¥15 ¢XC until opened and thawed requests for samples by bonafide degrees south latitude. in a clean laboratory setting at the scientific researchers will be handled; Expedition means an activity curation facility; and (vii) Make samples available to undertaken by one or more persons (v) Thawing in a clean, dry, nonreactive bonafide scientific researchers at no organized within or proceeding from the gas environment, such as more than incremental cost and within United States to or within Antarctica for nitrogen or argon. a reasonable period of time; and which advance notification is required (2) Sample documentation. (viii) In the event that the initial under Paragraph 5 of Article VII of the Documentation for each specimen, that curatorial facility is no longer in a Antarctic Treaty. includes, at a minimum: position to provide curation services for Incremental cost is the extra cost (i) A unique identifier for the sample; the specimens, or believes that the involved in sharing the samples with (ii) The date of find; meteorites no longer merit curation, it other researchers. It does not include (iii) The date of collection (if different shall consult with the National Science the initial cost of collecting the from date of find); Foundationʼs Office of Polar Programs to meteorites in Antarctica or the cost of (iv) The latitude and longitude to identify another appropriate curatorial maintaining the samples in a curatorial within 500 meters of the location of the facility, or to determine another facility. find and the name of the nearest named appropriate arrangement. Person has the meaning given that geographical feature; § 674.6 Submission of information to NSF. term in section 1 of title 1, United States (v) The name, organizational A copy of the written procedures Code, and includes any person subject affiliation, and address of the finder or developed by expedition organizers to the jurisdiction of the United States. the expedition organizer; pursuant to § 674.5(b) shall be furnished § 674.4 Restrictions on collection of (vi) A physical description of the to the National Science Foundationʼs meteorites in Antarctica. specimen and of the location of the find; Office of Polar Programs at a minimum No person may collect meteorites in and of 90 days prior to the planned Antarctica for other than scientific (vii) Any observations of the departure date of the expedition for research purposes. collection activity, such as potential Antarctica. NSF shall publish a notice of § 674.5 Requirements for collection, contamination of the specimen. availability of the plan in the Federal handling, documentation, and curation of (3) Curation. Make prior arrangements Register that provides for a 15 day Antarctic meteorites. to ensure that any specimens collected comment period. NSF shall evaluate the (a) Any person organizing an in Antarctica will be maintained in a procedures in the plan to determine if expedition to or within Antarctica, curatorial facility that will: they are sufficient to ensure that the where one of the purposes of the (i) Preserve the specimens in a meteorites will be properly collected, expedition is to collect meteorites in manner that precludes chemical or handled, documented, and curated. NSF Antarctica, shall ensure that the physical degradation; shall provide comments on the meteorites will be properly collected, (ii) Produce an authoritative adequacy of the plan within 45 days of documented, handled, and curated to classification for meteorites that can be receipt. If NSF advises the expedition preserve their scientific value. Curation shown to belong to a well-established organizer that the procedures satisfy the includes making specimens available to chemical and petrological group, and requirements of § 674.5 and the bona fide scientific researchers on a provide appropriate descriptions for procedures are implemented, the timely basis, in accordance with those meteorites that cannot be shown expedition organizer will have satisfied specified procedures. to belong to an established chemical and the requirements of this part. (b) Expedition organizers described in petrological group; § 674.7 Exception for serendipitous finds. paragraph (a) of this section shall (iii) Develop and maintain curatorial A person who makes a serendipitous develop and implement written records associated with the meteorites discovery of a meteorite in Antarctica procedures for the collection, including collection information, which could not have been reasonably documentation, and curation of authoritative classification, total known anticipated, may collect the meteorite specimens which include the following mass, information about handling and for scientific research purposes, components: sample preparation activities that have provided that the meteorite is collected (1) Handling requirements. Handling been performed on the meteorite, and in the manner most likely to prevent procedures shall ensure that the sub-sample information; contamination under the circumstances, specimens are properly labeled and (iv) Submit an appropriate summary and provided that the meteorite is handled to minimize the potential for of information about the meteorites to otherwise handled, documented and contamination from the point of the Antarctic Master Directory via the curated in accordance with the collection to the point of curation. At a National Antarctic Data Coordination requirements of § 674.5. minimum, handling procedures shall Center as soon as possible, but no later include: than two years after receipt of samples

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Rewards: Contact Information: Unfortunately, federal law prohibits For information on meteorites you private ownership of Antarctic If you are in Antarctica, and have recovered: meteorites, so we can’t let you The Antarctic Meteorite Newsletter either found a meteorite or want a keep one or part of one as a is published twice a year and can collection kit: souvenir. But your contribution of be found at: specimens to the ANSMET Contact the Antarctic Search for program will be formally http://curator.jsc.nasa.gov/antmet/ Meteorites program (G-058-M) via recognized by the Meteorite amn/amn.cfm MacOps or the Crary Lab. Working Group. The samples you Meteorites should be kept frozen collect, altruistically provided to the If you need help locating a and delivered to an ANSMET world’s planetary materials specimen within the JSC representative or the Crary lab. research community, could play a databases, contact: key role in understanding the Kevin Righter history of our solar system. And if In the civilized world: Antarctic Meteorite Curator Ralph Harvey, Principal Investigator you’re lucky, someday a meteorite Mail Code KT, NASA you recovered will show up in a of ANSMET Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Dept. of Geological Sciences publication or a news article, and 2101 NASA Parkway Case Western Reserve University you’ll be able to say “I found that!” Houston, Texas 77058-3696 Oh, and swag. Recovering an Cleveland OH 44106-7216 Phone: (281) 483-5125 phone: 216-368-3690 Antarctic meteorite means you’re FAX: (281) 483-5347 an honorary member of G-058. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Contact the PI of ANSMET for a team patch and bumper sticker.

In the event you find an alien life form Stay Calm they are avoiding contact with our species USAP has a tradition of preparedness Hollywood is clear on this issue; first and have no desire to interact with us. that goes back 50 years. Each field party is contact between an alien race and humans Again, your best course of action is equipped with a glass-fronted case is most likely to take place in Antarctica. passive observation- attempts to containing a fully prepped and loaded As an Antarctic scientist you owe it to communicate or draw attention to yourself flamethrower and an assortment of humanity to have a plan for what could be are clearly at odds with the alien’s wishes. machine guns. Smash the glass and show the defining moment in the total of human Please do not irritate the alien. those aliens whose planet this really is. history. You did check one of those out from If the alien is clearly dead If you feel the alien wishes to the BFC, didn’t you? It’s not. No matter how inactive or communicate When the encounter is over seemingly damaged, it’s not. It’s dormant, Get over yourself. You probably ate a You’ll probably be dead. But as you or healing itself, or sporing, or simply can of brown bread that was way past die, perhaps slowly digesting in the belly of waiting for a new host. Do not thaw it, expiration date. Aliens that want to the alien, reassure yourself with the warm it, bring it into your tent or vehicle. Do communicate with a species thousands of knowledge that by having carefully not attempt to enter its vehicle, if one is years more primitive than they are either documented the encounter, you have evident. Document the alien with a going to eat you, “probe” you, hunt you as earned a legacy as one of THE most photograph and GPS location, and move prey, ask you to carry their gear, or convert important humans to have ever lived. In away. Quickly. you to their religion. truth, the pictures on the camera you leave If the alien is clearly not dead behind will be inexplicably blurry, your Any alien that reaches Earth knows of If the alien has proven hostile intent by notebook taken to be the ravings of a the presence of humans. Logically, a live eating/occupying/enslaving/probing madman, and your family disgraced. No alien encountered in Antarctica indicates your field assistants one will believe you. Sorry about that.

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