Earth is bombarded with rocks from space — but who gets to keep these ultimate antiques?
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The image of Lexior wanders in the sky. | Credit: NASA/Bill Donford
Every day, about 48.5 tons of space rocks towards the Earth. The meteorites that fall into the ocean are not recovered. But those that were shattered on the ground can provoke discussions on legal property.
Globally, the hunting of meteorite has become a profitable work, as parts of foreign rock are circulated and shipped between countries.
Meteics carries the key to the secrets of the universe, but increasingly, important scientific discoveries are lost in front of private sector collectors.
Last year, New Zealand officially registered that Apple’s meteorite weighs 810g. She fell into the management of conservation lands in the center of the southern island, near Takabo. Jack Witrings, a member of A whilearoa gunfire (A group of meteorites in the Citizen Science Group), the meteorite re -organized these discoveries.
Over the years, many meteorites have been registered in New Zealand. It is worth noting that 1.3 kg EllersLie Meteorite It was collided on the roof of the Archer family home in Auckland on June 12, 2004.
Liar sofa Ultimately, he settled in the middle of the living room floor, the meteorite caused an international noise, with many individuals around the world to buy it.
The archers, a retired couple, refused these OffersInstead choose to sell it to Auckland Museum Memorial Museum For general offer.
Nizak Takabo spent a lot of 2024 to explode by geologists at the University of Outago. But the issue of legal property is still open because it was found on public lands.
How does New Zealand law deal with meteorites
Despite its origins between the stars, meteorites are determined under the law that has been found. The approach varies from one country to another. Some allow the ownership of private meteorite while others need mandatory governmental property without any compensation of any kind.
New Zealand – along with Canada, France, the United States and the United Kingdom – adopted an approach to the location of the meteorite. If it lands on private property, the landowner is the legal owner of the legal rock of space.
With meteorites found in public property, as was the case with Takapō Meteorite, the “Finders Keepers” approach prevails and affects Uteroa, thanks to Jack Waterings, is the legal owner.
While the organization Advertise “To” the lack of commercial interest in the number “and pledges to donate museums to museums, not all meteor hunters are ready to donate their discoveries clips.
Commercial meteorite hunting appears to be internationally, especially in China, as it is a profitable source of income. Some meteorites can Bring millions online. With a university it is said that including Elon Musk, Steven Spielberg, Nicholas Cage and URI GellerThe hobby is now glamorous. The magic of the world is expected to grow with the final ancient.
Meteoric trading
Several states intervened to organize meteorite hunting within its borders. In New Zealand, the export of protected objects is restricted, including Taonga Tūturu (Mirage Links).
under Protected Things Law 1975Which includes both 1970 UNESCO Agreement On the prevention of illegal transfer of cultural property ownership, and 1995 Unidroit Agreement On stolen cultural things, permission must be obtained from the CEO of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage before exporting protected things.
Meteors are inserted as protected things under the legislation, and as a result, the CEO must consult two expert examiners in determining any export license request.
The penalties for exporting or attempting to export meteorites without illegally license. It includes the automatic confiscation of the element to the crown, the period of imprisonment for up to five years and a fine of $ 100,000 per person and $ 200,000 for body companies.
If the export license application is rejected, for any reason, there is the right to appeal the decision directly to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage. If the minister is He chooses decision supportOr if the applicant decides not to make an appeal, the object is automatically inserted into Record important things at the national level.
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While New Zealand adopted legislative measures to regulate meteorite exports, the relationship between researchers and scientists can become increasingly tense. Perhaps the collection of meteorit should be strong unless it is intended for scientific purposes? Time will determine whether an easy compromise can be found.