A mysterious fireball exploded over Georgia on June 26, leaving a trail of destruction and debris behind. The meteorite that fell, weighing 23 grams, has been dated to be approximately 4.56 billion years old – making it 20 million years older than the Earth itself.
According to University of Georgia planetary geologist Scott Harris, the meteorite formed in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter around 470 million years ago. It is believed to have broken off from a larger asteroid during this time.
The meteorite’s age was confirmed through microscopic analysis of the fragments recovered from a piece that struck a homeowner’s roof in McDonough. The homeowner has reported finding specks of space dust still in his living room, serving as a poignant reminder of the event.
This is the 27th meteorite to be recovered in Georgia and the sixth witnessed fall. Harris notes that modern technology and an attentive public have significantly increased the chances of detecting such events.
The University of Georgia scientists plan to submit their findings to the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society, proposing the name “McDonough Meteorite” for the space rock.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meteorite-georgia-nasa-earth