A newly named meteorite, the McDonough Meteorite, has crash-landed in Atlanta’s Henry County, marking a significant discovery for researchers at the University of Georgia. The meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere on June 26, creating a massive fireball that was visible across the Southeast.
The fragments from the meteorite were collected and analyzed by geologists, who determined its origin and classification as an ordinary Chondrite with a long history dating back approximately 4.56 billion years. This ancient asteroid is believed to have formed in the presence of oxygen and is tied to a breakup of a larger asteroid that occurred around 470 million years ago.
The meteorite’s speed was immense, reaching cosmic velocity before entering the atmosphere. However, the Earth’s atmosphere slowed it down significantly, causing it to break apart upon impact. The fragments still managed to cause significant damage to a residential roof and HVAC duct, leaving behind a dent on the floor and a sonic boom-like sound.
The discovery of the McDonough Meteorite marks the 27th meteorite found in Georgia’s history and the sixth witnessed fall in recent years. Researchers are optimistic that modern technology and public awareness will lead to more meteorite recoveries in the future. The meteorite is currently stored at UGA for further analysis, while additional fragments will be displayed publicly at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville.
Source: https://news.uga.edu/uga-names-new-meteorite