A remarkable meteorite that streaked across the sky in June 2023, accompanied by a powerful sonic boom, has been dated to an astonishing 4.56 billion years old. This significant discovery was made by researchers who meticulously studied the meteorite after its dramatic crash landing in Georgia. Fragments of this extraterrestrial rock were collected and handed over to scientists for analysis to determine their classification and origin.
The University of Georgia (UGA) received a portion of the meteorite, specifically 23 grams out of the total 50 grams of the McDonough Meteorite. This meteorite is named after the Georgia city where it famously penetrated the roof and ceiling of a residence. Scott Harris, a researcher at UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in the geology department, revealed in a news release that the meteorite has a long history prior to its arrival in McDonough.
Through advanced techniques such as optical and electron microscopy, Harris classified the meteorite as a Low Metal (L) ordinary Chondrite, a specific type of stony meteorite. This classification indicates that the meteorite is approximately 20 million years older than Earth itself. Harris further elaborated on the meteorite's origins, linking it to a group of asteroids in the main asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter. He posited that the meteorite is a remnant from a catastrophic breakup of a larger asteroid approximately 470 million years ago, which eventually led some fragments into Earth-crossing orbits.
UGA is collaborating with researchers from Arizona State University to submit the meteorite's findings and its official name to the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society. Harris is also preparing to publish a scientific paper to enhance understanding of the potential threats posed by meteorites. “There will come a day when a large object may strike Earth, leading to catastrophic consequences. We aim to mitigate that risk,” he stated.
The American Meteor Society recorded multiple reports of a spectacular fireball that lit up the region on June 26, coinciding with the Bootids meteor shower, which is a lesser-known celestial event. One resident from Henry County, Georgia, reported that the meteorite, now recognized as the McDonough Meteorite, crashed through their ceiling around the same time the fireball was observed. The meteorite broke through the roof and ceiling, ultimately impacting the flooring of the home.
Harris speculated that the resident experienced three simultaneous events: the collision of the meteorite with the roof, the sound of a tiny sonic boom, and the impact on the floor, all occurring in rapid succession. The energy released upon impact was so intense that it pulverized parts of the flooring into fine dust. The resident mentioned to Harris that he continues to find specks of space dust scattered around his living room as a result of the incident.
The McDonough Meteorite marks the 27th meteorite ever recovered in Georgia and stands out as the sixth meteorite to have a witnessed fall. Observing a daytime fireball is a rare occurrence; typically, fireballs are more visible at night. For a fireball to be seen during the day, it must be significantly brighter. According to the American Meteor Society, June’s fireball reached a magnitude of around -14, making it brighter than the full moon.
Even though the meteorite's impact was localized, it was visible to others beyond Georgia. In Lexington County, South Carolina, dashcam footage captured a bright flash of light descending from the sky on the same day. Brenda Eckard, a 64-year-old resident from Gilbert, South Carolina, described how she witnessed a “big flash in the sky” while driving home, initially mistaking it for a firework. Concerned, she called her husband to verify the safety of their home.
The McDonough Meteorite is currently housed at UGA for further testing and analysis. Additional fragments that fell on June 26 will be publicly displayed at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, allowing visitors to appreciate this extraordinary piece of our solar system's history.
As research continues, the McDonough Meteorite not only provides valuable insights into the early solar system but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing relationship between Earth and celestial objects.
