Mr. Warchol: If you have been following the Utah Astronomy list serve today you will know there has been quite a bit of discussion regarding your and Joe Bauman's articles in yesterday's newspapers. I'm sorry I didn't have the opportunity to speak with you - I didn't know the Tribune was planning an article until I saw it in the paper. I take responsibility for originating the idea of dropping objects from an airplane on the Salt Flats, but there is a serious research concept behind the whole idea: What size range of meteorite (assuming an object not massive enough to be supersonic and/or cause serious local or regional damage) would not punch through the salt crust and therefore remain on the surface for many years? Answering this question would give us an idea of what size and how many meteorites might be expected, if any. I'm sorry that your article treated this notion with such disparagement. Meteorite research has given us much knowledge about the early Solar System. Additionally, meteorites are very rare - finding one would certainly be thrilling for most people, whether they are interested in astronomy or not. While I would love to find an object from "outer space" I am more interested in a worthwhile (and admittedly fun) experiment that may be of worth to scientific amateurs and professionals alike. For your information, those of us interested in the experiment have contacted already or plan to contact the various regulatory agencies responsible for the Salt Flats or who might otherwise have an interest in our plans: BLM, Utah State Preservation Office, FAA, etc. I trust you and others would give us enough credit for conducting this or any similar experiment with appropriate permission. If you are interested in contacting me, feel free to do so at the number below, or you may simply reply via email. Kim A. Hyatt, AIA SL&A Architects 331 South Rio Grande, Suite 304 Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 801.322.5550 x122