Introduction

In an extraordinary twist of fate, a regular doorbell camera has captured what is likely the world’s first audio recording of a meteorite striking the Earth. The jaw-dropping event unfolded last July in the tranquil surroundings of Marshfield, a small community on Prince Edward Island, Canada, and was documented by the doorbell camera of homeowner Joe Velaidum.

Witnessing the Impact

Just moments after returning from a walk, Velaidum discovered a peculiar chalky mark on his front walkway—evidence of the meteorite impact that had occurred just a short time before. “The shocking thing for me is that I was standing right there a couple of minutes before this impact,” Velaidum recounted. This serendipitous timing made the discovery all the more astonishing.

Expert Analysis

The meteorite event drew the attention of experts, including Chris Herd, curator of the University of Alberta’s meteorite collection, who was fortuitously on vacation in the area. “It’s not anything we’ve ever heard before,” Herd remarked about the unique audio captured. “From a scientific perspective, it’s new.” Indeed, this incident could usher in a new realm of meteorite study that includes audio analysis, providing invaluable data about these celestial visitors.

Meteorite Findings

In total, approximately 95 grams of meteorite fragments were collected from the impact site, with Herd taking home about seven grams for further research. The analysis categorized the fragments as ordinary chondrites, which are actually the most commonly found type of stony meteorite on Earth, constituting around 86% of all recovered space rocks.

The Charlottetown Meteorite

Herd explained that after entering the Earth's atmosphere, the meteorite plummeted to the ground at terminal velocity—similar to the speed of a rock dropped from an airplane. The official designation for this rare space rock is the 'Charlottetown Meteorite,' aptly named after the island's capital city, which is situated just east of Marshfield.

Conclusion

“This is actually the first and only meteorite ever found on the Island, and what a way to make that discovery!” exclaimed Herd. The event has sparked excitement within both the scientific community and the local residents, showcasing the unlikeliest of circumstances where a common household device records a monumental occurrence in natural history—reminding us once again that the universe can surprise us in the most unexpected ways!

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for more updates on this incredible phenomenon and the scientific findings that will emerge from this remarkable meteorite!