Some while ago, I was at the Vatican Observatory, assisting Guy Consolmagno, S.J. with an inventory of the meteorite collection (long story).

As you may know, meteorites are named for the town nearest the spot where they are found. I was going through drawers, reading off labels, while Brother Guy, in the next room, checked the label data against his database.

I came to an iron object labeled "BUTLER, USA, Found 1874." This rang a bell. "Which Butler?" I asked.

Brother Guy peered at his screen. "Missouri," he said.

I pointed out that this meteorite had been found in Robert Heinlein's hometown, 33 years before his birth.

Knowing you would want to see it, I persuaded Brother Guy to take photos.


WSH & Butler Meteorite Gleaming by beamjockey, on Flickr


Butler MO 1874 Meteorite detail by beamjockey, on Flickr


The Vatican Observatory's Butler specimen, a nickel-iron meteorite, has been neatly cut from a larger object and polished.

Might it be that nobody in the meteorite business has ever made this connection? As Pasteur said, "Chance favors the prepared mind."