Meteorite Older Than Earth Pierces House in US
verenigde staten, maandag, 11 augustus 2025.
A rare meteorite, 4.56 billion years old and thus older than Earth, struck a house in the United States last week. Scientists view this as a unique opportunity to learn more about the early history of our solar system. The fragment, roughly the size of a cherry tomato, pierced through the roof and left a dent in the floor. Researchers believe this meteorite originated from a larger asteroid that broke apart approximately 470 million years ago.
Meteorite Older Than Earth Pierces House in US
A rare meteorite, 4.56 billion years old and thus older than Earth, struck a house in the United States last week. Scientists view this as a unique opportunity to learn more about the early history of our solar system. The fragment, roughly the size of a cherry tomato, pierced through the roof and left a dent in the floor. Researchers believe this meteorite originated from a larger asteroid that broke apart approximately 470 million years ago [1].
Witness Accounts and Reactions
Hundreds of residents from Georgia and neighbouring states reported a loud bang and a fireball streaking across the sky. NASA confirmed that a meteorite had exploded. Dashcam footage showed the meteorite hurtling through the air at high speed [1]. The homeowner reported still finding pieces of space debris around his house from the impact [1].
Scientific Analysis
Planetary geologist Scott Harris from the University of Georgia examined a 23-gram fragment. He concluded that the meteorite is 4.56 billion years old, which is approximately 20 million years older than Earth. Harris suggests that the meteorite may be linked to the breakup of a much larger asteroid around 470 million years ago [1]. The fragment pierced the roof like a bullet and left a dent in the floor [1].
Significance for Science
This incident provides scientists with new insights into the early history of our solar system. The meteorite, now known as the McDonough meteorite after the location where it landed, is a rare find. Research on this meteorite could help understand how organic compounds formed in the early history of the solar system and how they may have contributed to the development of life on Earth [1][3].
Similar Cases
A similar incident occurred in 2018 when an H4 chondrite meteorite landed on a frozen lake in Michigan. This meteorite, also older than Earth, contained thousands of pristine organic compounds. Researchers discovered that these compounds were likely delivered to the early Earth by meteorites and contributed to the building blocks of life [3].
Practical Implications
While such events are rare, they highlight the continuity between the early history of our solar system and the present day. For the residents of the house in Georgia, it is an unforgettable experience, but for scientists, it offers a unique opportunity to investigate the history of our solar system [1].