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Meteor Hunters Scour Ohio for Space Rock After Sonic Boom
19 Mar
Summary
- A 7-ton space rock crashed into Ohio after a dazzling fireball.
- Fragments of the meteoroid are now being sought by hunters.
- The event caused a sonic boom that rattled buildings.
Meteor hunters have converged on Ohio, searching for fragments of an estimated 7-ton space rock that crashed to Earth this week. The object created a spectacular fireball, visible from distant states, and generated a powerful sonic boom that rattled buildings. NASA confirmed the event involved a meteoroid nearly 6 feet in diameter, traveling at approximately 45,000 miles per hour.
The meteoroid broke apart over Valley City, south of Cleveland, on Tuesday morning. This fragmentation has prompted enthusiasts like Roberto Vargas and Gabe Leidy to scour the region for collectible pieces. Some residents, like December Harris, have already found suspected meteorites on their property, describing them as small, black, and pitted.
Collectors like Vargas, who traveled from Connecticut, are hoping to find valuable specimens. Leidy, from North Ridgeville, views his potential find as a memento of a once-in-a-lifetime event. The search continues, with hunters assessing factors like the ongoing discovery of stones and access to huntable land, including private properties.
