In the middle of this week, a fireball was seen hitting the skies over Ontario, Canada. Images of the unidentified object were captured by Western University’s All-Sky camera network as it passed through southern Ontario and Quebec.
According to the analysis made by astronomers, the rock from space measures 12 inches or 30 cm. The fireball is estimated to be 400,000 fainter than the Sun or as bright as a full moon.
When the meteor was in the Earth’s atmosphere, friction occurred that caused the rock to burn like a fireball. The object then broke up and formed several parts that spread out.
The results captured by Western University were then used as material by the researchers to estimate the origin of the meteor. Steven Ehlert of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office also analyzed the video. He said the fragments could have hit the ground near Bancroft, Ontario.
Based on the results of the initial analysis, researchers believe the fireball began burning in the sky 58 miles or 93 kilometres south of Oshawa, over Lake Ontario. It then passed the embers of Peterborough and finally faded west of Bancroft.
So, if you find a mysterious stone and want to determine whether it is a meteorite or not, you will be able to recognize the following signs.
- Meteorites have a dark color with a scalloped surface
- Rock generally denser than average
- It contains metal and meteorites are usually attracted to magnets.
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