A meteorite crash, caught by a doorbell camera, has intrigued scientists and residents alike in Prince Edward Island. This rare event, documented last July, marks the island’s first meteorite discovery, sparking excitement in the small community of Marshfield.
Meteorite Crash Caught by Doorbell Camera
The meteorite’s sharp crash, sounding like ice cracking, was captured by chance on a doorbell camera near a home in Marshfield. Homeowner Joe Velaidum noticed a chalky mark on his front walkway after returning from a walk. "I was standing there just minutes before the impact," Velaidum shared with CBC News.
Scientists later confirmed the meteorite’s impact, naming it the Charlottetown Meteorite, after the island’s capital city. The meteorite travelled at terminal velocity, similar to a rock dropped from a plane, before striking the ground.
A Historic Find for Prince Edward Island
Chris Herd, curator of the University of Alberta's meteorite collection, examined the site during a scheduled visit to the island. "This is unlike anything we’ve ever recorded," Herd told CBC News.
Around 95 grams of meteorite fragments were collected, with Herd receiving seven grams for analysis. Tests revealed the samples were ordinary chondrites, a common type of stony meteorite that accounts for 86% of space rocks found on Earth.
"This is the island’s first-ever meteorite discovery," Herd noted. "It’s a new sample from the asteroid belt, travelling all the way from between Mars and Jupiter."
A Rare Space Encounter
The Charlottetown Meteorite highlights the scientific value of such events. Every new sample from space contributes to our understanding of the solar system, offering unique insights into its history and composition. For Prince Edward Island, this marks a moment of cosmic significance, captured on camera.
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