A team of researchers has successfully recorded an audio and video capture of a meteorite impact, marking a historic moment in the field of astronomy. The incident occurred on July 25, 2024, when homeowners Laura Kelly and Joe Velaidum witnessed a sudden explosion of gray dust while walking in their community in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
The couple initially brushed off the event as a minor rock spill but later suspected that it could be caused by a meteorite impact. They reviewed footage from their home security camera and sent samples of the suspected space rock to the University of Alberta Meteorite Reporting System, where curator Chris Herd confirmed its authenticity.
The Charlottetown meteorite is an ordinary chondrite, a type of meteorite found on Earth that accounts for about 86% of all collected meteorites. Analysis revealed that the meteorite was approximately 6-7 centimeters in diameter and entered the atmosphere at speeds of around 44,000 to 145,000 kilometers per hour.
The impact created a significant amount of debris, which Velaidum had initially overlooked. Fortunately, his decision to take his dogs for a walk shortly after witnessing the meteorite’s arrival saved his life. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the awe-inspiring power of celestial objects and their potential impact on our planet.
Researchers have previously recorded meteorite impacts in audio format, but this is the first instance where both sound and visual evidence were captured simultaneously.
Source: https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/hear-the-first-ever-recording-of-a-meteorite-slamming-into-the-ground