A Space Rock With a History Beyond Our Planet
Scientists have confirmed that a meteorite which smashed through the roof of a home in McDonough, Georgia, is older than Earth itself. The rock, which tore across the skies on 26 June before exploding in daylight, is estimated to be 4.56 billion years old, around 20 million years older than our planet’s formation.
From Fireball to Front Room
NASA confirmed the meteor’s fiery descent, which was witnessed across Georgia and neighboring states. Residents reported a loud boom as the object broke apart at high speed, still travelling at over 1 km per second when it hit the home. Multiple fragments were recovered and handed over to researchers at the University of Georgia.
Identifying the McDonough Meteorite
Geologist Scott Harris and his team used optical and electron microscopy to determine the fragments were chondrites, the most common type of stony meteorite. These ancient materials predate Earth, having formed from the dust and gas that surrounded the early Sun. This makes the McDonough meteorite not only a rare find, but a time capsule from before our planet existed.
The McDonough meteorite is the 27th recovered in Georgia, but Harris notes that such finds are becoming more frequent thanks to public vigilance and modern detection technology. Studying its composition and trajectory could help scientists better predict and prepare for potential asteroid threats.
A Reminder From Space
While small meteorites like this cause minimal damage, Harris warns that larger impacts remain a real possibility. “One day there will be an opportunity for something large to hit and create a catastrophic situation. If we can guard against that, we want to,” he said.
With more people watching the skies and advances in recovery, researchers hope every meteorite collected brings us closer to understanding — and protecting against — the hazards from space.
