Meteorite older than Earth smashes house roof in Georgia; scientists trace rock to asteroid belt – video

A meteorite fragment that tore via the roof of a Georgia dwelling final June has been discovered to be older than Earth itself, in accordance to scientists on the University of Georgia.Geologist Scott Harris instructed Fox News Digital that the rock, which fell on June 26 close to Atlanta, originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Analysis reveals it fashioned 4.56 billion years in the past — barely earlier than the beginning of the Earth, estimated at 4.54 billion years.A fiery descentEyewitnesses reported seeing a vibrant fireball streak throughout the sky that day. Harris was shortly referred to as to examine the house, the place he traced the meteorite’s dramatic path:

The fragment hit with such drive that a part of it was pulverised “like somebody hitting it with a sledgehammer,” Harris stated. The rock briefly broke the sound barrier earlier than impression.No hazard this time — however a reminder for the long runWhile the small dimension of the meteorite posed no menace to the householders, Harris stated learning such falls is essential for planetary defence. Understanding how meteorites journey via house and into Earth’s ambiance might assist scientists predict — and forestall — catastrophic impacts.He pointed to Nasa’s DART mission for example of potential defence, the place a spacecraft efficiently altered the trail of an asteroid via kinetic impression.“If you move an asteroid early enough, you can get it to avoid us altogether,” Harris stated.