Meteorite’s Sonic Boom: A Near-Miss on Prince Edward Island

The universe offers a breathtaking spectacle, occasionally reminding us of its immense power and our place within its grand design. Last July, residents of Prince Edward Island, Canada, Joe Velaidum and Laura Kelly, experienced this firsthand when a meteorite crashed into their driveway, narrowly missing Velaidum by mere minutes. The event, captured on their doorbell camera, not only provided a visual record of the impact but also, remarkably, the sound of a meteorite striking Earth – a first in recorded history.

A Cosmic Close Call: The Meteorite’s Dramatic Entry

Returning home from a dog walk, Velaidum and Kelly were met with an unexpected sight: a pile of debris scattered across their driveway. Baffled, they turned to their doorbell camera footage for answers. The video revealed a dramatic scene: a medium-sized rock hurtling towards the ground, creating a cloud of dust upon impact and producing a distinct breaking sound. Chillingly, the footage also showed Velaidum standing in the exact spot where the meteorite landed just minutes earlier. “I never stop in that spot,” Velaidum recounted to The National Post. “And in retrospect, if I had stayed there for just two minutes longer, I would have been hit.”

Meteorite debris on the driveway

Confirming the Celestial Visitor: Expert Analysis

While the video evidence strongly suggested a meteorite impact, confirmation came from Kelly’s father, who lived nearby. A firm believer in the object’s extraterrestrial origins, he collected fragments of the rock using a powerful magnet and submitted them for expert analysis. Chris Herd, curator of the University of Alberta’s meteorite collection, confirmed their suspicions. The rock was identified as an “ordinary chondrite,” the most common type of meteorite.

A Sonic First: The Sound of a Meteorite Impact

What truly set this event apart was the captured audio. Herd emphasized the significance of this recording, stating that it’s believed to be “the first time we’ve ever had a recorded fall of a meteorite hitting the surface of the Earth with sound included.” While meteorites entering the atmosphere are not uncommon, capturing the sound of their impact is exceptionally rare. This audio recording offers invaluable data for scientists studying meteorites and their interactions with Earth’s atmosphere.

Close-up of the meteorite fragment

Journey from the Asteroid Belt: The Meteorite’s Origins

Herd shed light on the meteorite’s origins, explaining that it likely originated from the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. “A fragment of an asteroid broke off at some point — it could have been millions of years ago — made its way around the sun and then crossed the Earth’s orbit,” he detailed. Upon entering the atmosphere, the meteorite, estimated to have weighed around one kilogram, traveled at an astonishing speed of approximately 60,000 kilometers per hour – roughly 50 times the speed of sound. However, due to atmospheric friction, its speed dramatically reduced to about 200 kilometers per hour by the time it reached Velaidum’s driveway. Approximately 90% of its mass would have burned away during its fiery descent.

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Reflecting on the Cosmic Perspective: A Reminder of Our Place in the Universe

For Velaidum, the near-miss served as a profound reminder of humanity’s place within the vastness of the cosmos. He reflected that “the lives that we lead are just a small part of this celestial drama that’s so much bigger than we could possibly imagine.” The meteorite’s unexpected arrival not only provided a thrilling story but also underscored the dynamic and awe-inspiring nature of the universe we inhabit. The event offers a unique opportunity for scientists to study meteorites and provides a captivating glimpse into the ongoing celestial events happening around us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Meteorites

What is a meteorite? A meteorite is a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid, or meteoroid, that originates in outer space and survives its passage through the atmosphere to reach the surface of a planet or moon.

How common are meteorite impacts? While small meteoroids enter the Earth’s atmosphere daily, larger meteorites capable of reaching the ground are less common. Most burn up completely before reaching the surface.

Are meteorites dangerous? The vast majority of meteorites pose no threat to humans. However, larger impacts can cause significant damage. The most famous example is the Chicxulub impactor, believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

What is the difference between a meteor, meteoroid, and meteorite? A meteoroid is a small rocky or metallic body in outer space. A meteor is the visible streak of light produced when a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere and burns up. A meteorite is a meteoroid that survives its passage through the atmosphere and lands on Earth.

Where can I learn more about meteorites? Information about meteorites can be found at museums, universities with astronomy departments, and online resources such as NASA’s website. You can also visit the website of the Meteoritical Society, an international organization dedicated to the study of meteorites.