Extraordinary Discovery

In an extraordinary turn of events, a doorbell camera has inadvertently captured what is believed to be the world's first audio recording of a meteorite impact. The remarkable incident occurred last July on the front steps of a home in the picturesque Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.

Homeowner's Experience

Homeowner Joe Velaidum was returning from a walk when he stumbled upon a chalky mark on his walkway, a telltale sign of the recent meteorite impact. "The shocking thing for me is that I was standing right there just a couple of minutes before this impact," Velaidum recounted to CBC News, emphasizing the surreal nature of the experience.

Scientific Investigation

The call to investigate this unusual phenomenon was placed to Chris Herd, the curator of the University of Alberta's meteorite collection, who fortuitously had a vacation scheduled on the island. After examining the site, Herd described the audio captured on the doorbell camera: "It's not anything we've ever heard before. From a scientific perspective, it's new." These words underscore the significance of the discovery, offering researchers a unique auditory glimpse into an event rarely observed.

Meteorite Fragments

Approximately 95 grams of meteorite fragments were collected from the site, with Herd acquiring seven grams of these for further analysis at the university. Subsequent examinations revealed that the samples were ordinary chondrites — the most prevalent type of stony meteorite, constituting about 86% of all space rocks that have been identified on Earth.

Meteorite's Journey

After entering Earth's atmosphere, the meteorite reached its terminal velocity, akin to that of a rock dropped from an airplane, before landing in the small community of Marshfield. This remarkable space rock has been officially named the Charlottetown Meteorite, in honor of the capital city of Prince Edward Island, which is situated just east of Marshfield.

A Unique Milestone

Notably, this meteorite marks a significant milestone as it is the first and only meteorite ever found on the island, making the discovery all the more special. "What a way to make that discovery," Herd remarked, encapsulating the excitement surrounding this unique find.

Implications for Research

As scientists continue to analyze the implications of this event, the audio recording offers a fresh avenue for research, potentially opening doors to understand more about meteorite impacts and their effects on our planet. Keep your ears peeled for more updates on this astonishing story that bridges Earth and space!