Asteroid rocks could be near you
RESIDENTS in some parts of South Wales are asked to look out for asteroid fragments after a spectacular fireball meteor occurred over the area.
People in parts of England and Wales spotted a large “bright green fireball”, while others heard a sonic boom.
UK Fireball Alliance (UKFA) confirmed the sighting took place at about 11.39pm on Wednesday, May 11.
In Wales, footage and photos of the fireball meteor were shared on social media from people across the UK including in Merthyr Tydfil, Pembrokeshire and the Vale of Glamorgan.
It was recorded by more than 25 meteor cameras coordinated by the UK Fireball Alliance, as well as several security cameras and dashcams belonging to members of the public.
Sightings of fireball meteors are rare, even though several thousand meteors of fireball magnitude occur in the Earth’s atmosphere every day, according to International Meteor Organization.
The vast majority of these, however, happen over the oceans and uninhabited regions, or are hidden in broad daylight.
However, it seems this meteor was very unique.
According to the scientists from the UK Fireball Alliance, the meteor may have dropped a meteorite somewhere near Bridgend.
Dr Jana Horak from National Museum Cardiff and a member of UKFAll said: “About 20kg of rock from an asteroid entered the atmosphere at nearly 30 km/s.
“Most of that rock vaporised in the atmosphere within seconds, but we calculate that maybe 100 grams survived and landed in an area north of Bridgend.
“Looking for rocks smaller than an apple in Bridgend and the surrounding hills and woods is like looking for a needle in a haystack, so we’re asking people if they’ve found anything interesting or unusual over the weekend.
“It’s probably a glossy black or brown colour, maybe with the dark fusion crust broken off in places, but it won’t appear spongy or bubbly.”
Scientists at the Natural History Museum in London have offered tips for anyone who thinks they’ve found a piece.
Dr Ashley King of the Planetary Materials Group said: “The meteorite won’t be hot and is as safe to handle as any other rock but, if possible, please don’t pick it up with your bare hands as that will contaminate the stone.
“Also don’t test it with a magnet, as this could destroy valuable information. It may be in a place where rocks aren’t usually found, like on a lawn or footpath. Don’t take any risks looking for it, and don’t go into areas where you shouldn’t.
“But if you have found something out-of-place within the calculated fall area, we’ll certainly be interested to check it out.”
You can send a photo and coordinates of the location to wales@ ukfall.org.uk – noting that meteorites aren’t bubbly or melted.