Introduction

In an extraordinary event this July 2024, a home security camera in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, emerged as a witness to a celestial phenomenon, capturing both video and sound of a meteorite striking the Earth. According to meteorite experts, this incident marks a potential first in history—the only known recording of the sound generated by a meteorite impact.

What is a Meteorite?

Meteorites are solid remnants of extraterrestrial objects, such as comets, asteroids, or meteoroids, which survive their fiery descent through the atmosphere to reach a planet's surface. When these objects enter Earth's atmosphere, they are subjected to intense friction and pressure, causing them to heat up dramatically and emit energy. This process creates a brilliant fireball in the sky, commonly referred to as a 'shooting star.'

Rare Recovery

While most meteorites disintegrate into smaller fragments before reaching the ground, only five to ten are known to be recovered annually and analyzed by scientific communities. The remarkable event in Charlottetown is set apart not only by the successful recovery of fragment samples but also by the accompanying sound recorded during the impact.

Homeowner Discovery

The homeowner's initial investigation began after noticing peculiar dust scattered across the path in front of their residence. Upon reviewing their security footage, they were taken aback to discover the moment a meteorite rocketed from the sky and collided with their property, sending dust and small fragments flying across the grass.

Scientific Evaluation

The meteorite was visible in just a single frame of the footage, but the sound of the impact and the chaotic cloud of debris underscored its origin. The homeowners managed to collect approximately 7 grams of the rock from their lawn and planned to return for additional samples, utilizing a vacuum and a magnet for thorough recovery.

Professor Chris Herd from the University of Alberta confirmed the space origin of the fragments after examining the images. He meticulously documented the meteorite remains and measured a distinct 2 x 2 cm divot left in the sidewalk from the impact. A portion of these fragments will now be part of the esteemed University of Alberta Meteorite Collection.

The Charlottetown Meteorite

Named the Charlottetown meteorite, this space rock is classified as an ordinary chondrite, which includes unique characteristics that may illuminate the reasons behind its disintegration upon atmospheric entry. 'As the first and only meteorite from the province of Prince Edward Island, the Charlottetown meteorite certainly made a spectacular entrance,' Professor Herd remarked, adding, 'No other meteorite fall has been documented like this, complete with sound. It adds a whole new dimension to the natural history of the Island.'

Conclusion

The implications of this discovery extend beyond academic curiosity; they offer valuable insights into meteorite behavior, atmospheric science, and even the history of our planet. As researchers continue to analyze the fragments and recordings, they may unveil secrets about the cosmos that have remained hidden until now. Stay tuned for more updates on this remarkable astronomical event!