who owns a meteorite?

Mikros

This is a bit random but seeing the amazing sight of a metoer(?) breaking up in the sky last night got me wondering...

Say I'm driving along and see a space rock crash into a field up the road. Does the landowner acquire a legal claim to it by virtue of it landing in his property? Or can I claim it as "finder keeper" and throw it in the boot of my car?

If it lands on public ground does the State acquire a claim of ownership?

Apparently a meteorite can be worth a lot of money so it's not just a lump of rock we're talking about. Any ideas? :pac:

(just to be clear - I don't have a meteorite in the boot of my car)

Ted_YNWA

Presume this would fall into who holds the mineral rights of the property it falls onto

Mikros

I was thinking something similar, but for arguments sake nobody "owned" the meteor before it landed there. Does the fact that it just happened to land enough to give ownership to the landowner?

If a kid kicks a ball into a neighbours garden the neighbour doesn't automatically acquire ownership of the ball right? So is the meteor "unclaimed" until somebody asserts ownership on it?

Ted_YNWA

You found something, didnt you & came on here to gauge its value..

Mikros

Haha no I wish. Don't think I would be able to keep quiet if I found something. Just wondering what *would* happen...

Procrastastudy

There are 'universities' in the states offering masters degrees in 'Space Law' :pac:

234

There is a surprisingly large amount of law in this area, mostly international treaties. Boring as hell, but a legitimate field of study.

nuac

Imho owner of land would own what falls into it.

The State if it falls onto foreshore or territorial waters

Manach

Firstly there was a piece of moon meteorite auctioned recently for quite alot of money, so pertinent question by OP. AFAIR, does not the State claim ownership of valuable ores/minerals within the land? As well, the space debris could be classed as a national artifact given its scientific value, so the State could confiscate in that way as well.

Procrastastudy

I'd be willing to bet something very similar to treasure trove (see Webb v Ireland) would apply.

Victor

I understand there are international treaties. If the object was owned by someone, e.g. part of a space ship, then it remains their property, but they would need to compensate for any damage. If it was merely a piece of space debris like part of a meteorite or comet, then the land owner gets it.

Manach wrote: »

Firstly there was a piece of moon meteorite

Do you mean one that landed on the moon and took tens of billions of dollars to retrieve?

Procrastastudy

Victor wrote: »

I understand there are international treaties. If the object was owned by someone, e.g. part of a space ship, then it remains their property, but they would need to compensate for any damage. If it was merely a piece of space debris like part of a meteorite or comet, then the land owner gets it.

What is your basis for that assertion?

234

Victor wrote: »

I understand there are international treaties.

Actually, my post referred to space law in general. I don't know anything about meteorites.

Mikros

Procrastastudy wrote: »

I'd be willing to bet something very similar to treasure trove (see Webb v Ireland) would apply.

That was helpful...

The possession of land carries with it in general, by our law, possession of everything which is attached to or under that land, and, in the absence of a better title elsewhere, the right to possess it also. And it makes no difference that the possessor is not aware of the thing’s existence It is free to anyone who requires a specific intention as part of the de facto possession to treat this as a positive rule of law.

I would be fairly certain the "finder keeper" would not apply now, especially as it would probably involve trespass. But following on the idea - would the State be be able to assert ownership above that of the land owner? Similar to a treasure trove..

littlemac1980

I'd say "finders keepers".

im invisible

say nothing, be grand

Victor

Realise that much of the earth's crust came from extra-terrestrial sources

littlemac1980 wrote: »

I'd say "finders keepers".

Likely a theft offence.

chops018

im invisible wrote: »

say nothing, be grand

Find a meteor they said, say nothing they said, be grand they said...........

Ned_led16

Article 10.1 of the Constitution

Mikros

Article 10

1. All natural resources, including the air and all forms of potential energy, within the jurisdiction of the Parliament and Government established by this Constitution and all royalties and franchises within that jurisdiction belong to the State subject to all estates and interests therein for the time being lawfully vested in any person or body.

I believe the issue is whether the meteorite is "lawfully vested in any person or body" by virtue of where it lands or does the State own it from the minute it is in the jurisdiction?

Analogy... a ball landing in the neighbours garden.

Thunderbird2

Would love to see pics of the meteorites that crashed last night

Manach

Victor wrote: »

Do you mean one that landed on the moon and took tends of billions of dollars to retrieve?

No - these ones that fell to Earth - link.