Meteorite Fragments From Mississippi Fireball Scattered Across The State, NASA Directs Hunters What To Do With the Rocks They Found

Meteorite searchers have discovered multiple meteorite fragments from last week's fireball incident in Mississippi.

Dozens of individuals saw the fireball that adorned the sky over the state on April 27, as Science Times reported.

Many saw brilliant lights and heard a loud boom when the incident occurred. As of writing, 68 people have reported seeing a fireball in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

When the meteor erupted in the sky near the Louisiana-Mississippi line, NASA stated it was moving at 35,000 mph. However, experts had believed it was flying faster - at 55,000 mph.

Fireball Hunters Found Meteorite Fragments in Mississippi

Interestingly, around the moment the fireball occurred, amateur fireball researcher Eric Rasmussen noticed something unusual in the weather radar data.

"A large cloud appeared and then disappeared near the end of the fireball's path right after the event occurred," AMS noted. "This cloud was found in data from three different NEXRAD radar stations."

According to NASA scientist Marc Fries, the strange cloud was really confirmation of falling meteorites. He and his wife, Linda Welzenbach Fries, lived only about 300 miles from where the meteorites might have landed and they went meteorite hunting on Saturday. Linda was the one who discovered the first meteorite, and Marc found the second. The AMS provided a number of images of the fascinating discoveries.

Since then, other meteorite hunters have arrived seeking meteorites. According to Marc's report, six bits of meteorites weighing 1 to 150 grams have been discovered. Those who have found meteorites connected to the event should contact the AMS to be included in the database.

According to the AMS, the event is likely to generate "a lot of content." However, searches have been limited because part of the terrain is covered in thick trees, making meteorite retrieval "very difficult."

Because meteorites belong to the landowner on which they fall, NASA has said (per CBS News) that it would not reveal the locations of any fragments discovered.

NASA Declines To Verify Meteorite Finds

Verified meteorites are worth tons of money that's why many are interested in finding one. However, NASA announced to the public to not send them the rocks they found.

The agency stated that it would not verify any potential meteorite finds, directing the public to a meteorite website maintained by Washington University in St. Louis to help them confirm if the rock they have is a meteorite.

"We are not meteorite people, as our main focus is protecting spacecraft and astronauts from meteoroids. So we will be unable to identify any strange rocks you may find," NASA says (per Fresnobee).

According to NASA, if verified, this will be Mississippi's fifth reported meteorite fall. The first four space rocks were verified in 1854, 1910, 1922, and 2012.

What Makes Meteorites Valuable

NASA said meteorites are space rocks that make it to the ground after passing through the Earth's atmosphere. These rocks are not only far older than those found on Earth, but also contain samples from other celestial bodies such as planets, asteroids, and comets, according to the American Museum of Natural History.

As a result, meteorites are not only fascinating relics of such catastrophes. They also allow scientists to examine other bodies. Furthermore, some of these objects include material from the early solar system. Therefore, they can aid scientists in understanding the beginnings of our solar system.

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