The July 25, 2024a celestial spectacle dazzled thePrince Edward Islandin Canada. A meteorite, filmed by a Ring doorbell camera, exploded near my home Joe Velaidum and his wife Lauramarking a first for this region. This phenomenon, as rare as it is impressive, attracts the attention of residents and scientists across the country.
Who would have believed in a cosmic encounter?
That day, Joe and Laura Velaidum were having a quiet day when the sky literally fell on their heads. While out walking at the time of the incident, a meteorite made its show by exploding right in front of their house. Laura's parents, who live nearby, said they heard a huge “boom” upon impact.
When Joe and Laura returned, they found their driveway littered with mysterious black fragments. Curious but doubtful about the meteorite hypothesis, they checked the videos from their Ring camera. Bingo! The images clearly showed the impact coming from elsewhere.
What do the experts say?
Faced with this incredible discovery, Joe Velaidum turned to Chris Herdmeteorite expert at the University of Alberta. They sent star bits for analysis to confirm their extraterrestrial origin. Chris Herd confirmed that these fragments did indeed come from a meteorite called the “Charlottetown Meteorite”.
Analyzes revealed that this little car weighed 95 grammes and came straight from the asteroid belt, mainly composed of ordinary chondrite. This is a significant discovery because it is the first and only meteorite ever found on the island.
What do locals and scientists think?
For the Velaidums, this event transformed an ordinary day into an unforgettable memory. Joe shared his amazement: “It’s crazy to think how rare and close this encounter was.” He remembers: “When we returned, the path was covered with black stones.”
-On the scientists' side, Chris Herd underlined the rarity of the phenomenon: “We had never heard of something like this here. Scientifically speaking, this is unprecedented.” Enthusiastically he adds: “It’s really great! It is in fact the first and only meteorite ever found on the island.”
The meteorite's spectacular fall on Prince Edward Island opens the door to more research into our cosmic visitors. It also reminds us that our planet is constantly under influence from elsewhere.
The story of the Charlottetown Meteorite shows how fascinated we are by the mysteries of the cosmos and highlights how each discovery enriches our collective vision of the universe. For Joe and Laura Velaidum, it is a living reminder of the connection between our daily lives and the vast stellar expanses around us. For Chris Herd and his peers, these events provide valuable opportunities to explore what lies in the stars.
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