The Tiny Meteorite That Crashed Through a Car (Video)
In a small town in Benld, Illinois, an extraordinary event took place on September 29th, 1938. Ed McCain made a fascinating discovery when he found a hole in the seat of his parked Pontiac. Assuming rats were to blame, he called his neighbor, Carl Krumm, for assistance. However, they soon realized that a tiny meteorite had crashed through the roof of the garage, then through the car's seat and muffler before getting caught by the seat springs. This meteorite, weighing about four pounds, originated from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. What made it truly unique was that it was the first meteorite ever recorded to strike an automobile.
Meteorites, remnants of outer space, are incredibly rare and provide valuable insights into the early stages of our solar system. Distinguishing between falls (witnessed events) and finds (unwitnessed discoveries), experts emphasize the importance of verified sightings. Unfortunately, many people mistake regular Earth rocks for meteorites, often bringing their meteor-wrongs to museums for examination. However, authentic meteorites remain an elusive treasure, usually falling into the ocean or remote regions like deserts. Studying these celestial objects allows scientists to comprehend the genesis of our solar system, making meteorites invaluable time capsules from a bygone era.
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Top image: The meteorite that crashed through a car in Benld, Illinois. (GNU Free Documentation License).
