Ancient Meteorite Crashes Through Georgia Home, Possibly Predates Earth

meteorite that plummeted through the roof of a home in rural Georgia last month has been identified by researchers as an exceptionally old space rock, potentially older than Earth itself. The incident, which occurred approximately 65 miles southwest of Athens, involved a fragment that impacted a residence and left a noticeable mark on its interior. Initial observations across multiple states documented the object as a brilliant “fireball” streaking through the sky on June 26.

University of Georgia geologists have analyzed fragments of the meteorite, which is estimated to weigh about 50 grams total with 23 grams provided for study, and determined it originates from the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scott Harris, a geologist at the university, confirmed its classification as an L ordinary chondrite – a common type of stony meteorite. This classification suggests the space rock formed roughly 4.56 billion years ago, surpassing Earth’s age of approximately 4.54 billion years.

The object entered Earth’s atmosphere traveling at an estimated speed of 30,000 miles per hour and broke into smaller pieces during its descent. Despite atmospheric friction slowing it considerably, the meteorite possessed sufficient momentum to breach a homeowner’s roof, damage HVAC ductwork, create a dent in the floor, and produce sounds likened to a close-range gunshot. The resident reported continuing to find small fragments of the meteorite within his living room following the event.

The American Meteor Society registered nearly 150 reports from across Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and North Carolina describing the vivid celestial display. Some individuals initially mistook the resulting sonic booms for seismic activity. The meteor’s disintegration at an altitude of roughly 27 miles above West Forest, Georgia, released energy equivalent to approximately 20 tons of TNT.

The meteorite has been officially designated the McDonough Meteorite, referencing the Henry County city where it was discovered. Scientists distinguish between meteoroids (rocks in space), meteors (the visible streaks caused when those rocks enter Earth’s atmosphere), and meteorites (fragments that survive atmospheric entry and reach the ground). The recent event involved a particularly bright meteor, known as a fireball, associated with the annual Bootid meteor shower.