Possible Meteorite From The Famous Merced Fireball
As of April 22nd 2009 we’re still investigating this event.
On April 20th I was contacted by a man claiming to have a possible meteorite from the Merced Fireball which happened at around 3am Dec 27th 2008. Meteorite hunters and scientists have scoured the area and compiled much data on this event, however no one has found a meteorite yet that can be associated with the Dec 27th 08′ Merced Fireball.
Jerry McAlwee found a large stone on a piece of property he maintains and contacted me not long afterwards. After I interviewed Jerry and viewed photographs of the stone he offered to send me a sample for preliminary analysis. A review of the photos was unclear as to the origin of the stone. We will examine sample of the stone and publish the results. If there is reason to believe the stone is a meteorite it will be sent to a lab to have scientific analysis and chemical tests performed for further verification and to determine type and classification.
Regardless of whether this stone turns out to be a meteorite, it’s exciting and brings back to the forefront the urgency of researching meteor fireballs and furthering meteorite recovery for scientific and private study and collection. Universities, museums and private collectors worldwide will be interested in this stone if it turns out to be a meteorite. Even so, if the results turn out negative, I know for a fact this isn’t over yet.
UPDATE: After inspecting the sample I am sure this is not a meteorite. In my opinion it is basalt. There are visible traces of copper, and iron within the matrix. The largest majority of stones mistaken or meteorites typically turn out to be basalts and/or magnetite. This specimen is magnetic, but is full of deep vesicles. Meteorites as a rule do not have vesicles. Some lunar meteorites and rarely a chondrite will have vesicles but they are not typically deep and only go a mm or two below the surface of the fusion crust. This stone did not have any crust at all, but rather a glassy exterior probably caused by the rapid cooling of the rocks molten surface during formation. The Livingston rock is most likely volcanic in origin, not extraterrestrial.
The Hunt Continues…
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For more information photos and video please check out the Merced Sun Times reporter Scott Jason’s article here: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/804260.html
If you have any information regarding the December Fireball event you are encouraged to contact us immedtiatly at: 904-236-5394 or Email at: eric@meteoritesusa.com
DO YOU HAVE A METEORITE THAT COULD BE FROM THIS EVENT?
If you have a stone that you think might have come from this fireball, please contact us immediately as time is of the essence. Meteorites are used for study and or collection and many specimens are sent to universities and scientific insitutions worldwide to further the science of meteoritics. Some pieces are purchased by private collectors and become valuable additions to many collections worldwide. Some very special collections are then purchased from private collectors by universities by museums all over the world and put on display to share with other meteorite enthusiasts.
BIG BANG!!! People within 15 -30 miles of this event would have heard a sonic boom or possibly an explosion. Many have already reported that they heard 3 distinct BOOMS! associated with the fireball. Below are some questions that might help in determining if you are near the area of the fall.
SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL!!! You may have felt your house shake, windows rattle or you might have heard what sounded like rolling thunder if you were close enough to the fall area. Did you experience this?
BOOM?! Did you hear a sonic boom or an explosion? Did you witness pieces of debris falling to the ground? Did you hear any whizzing or whistling sounds? Wind type sounds? Did you hear what might have sounded like rain, or did a rock fall through your window or damage any building? We want to hear from you.
Anyone in the Northern California area within a 50 mile radius of Merced and or Livingston area who might have information regarding this fireball and or if you are a landowner who think you might have meteorites on your land please do not hesitate to give us a call. 904-236-5394 or contact us via EMAIL: eric@meteoritesusa.com
I’M SORRY IT WAS JAN.11, 2011
JAN. 1 2011 , I KNOW WHERE THE FIRE BALL LANDED ABOUT 8:30 THAT STREAKED ACROSS AR. SKY THAT NIGHT.