Amazing this unique event occurred on Prince Edward Island, Canada, in July 2024 when a Ring doorbell camera captured both video and audio of a meteorite falling and hitting the pavement outside a home. This incident, involving homeowners Joe Velaidum and Laura Kelly, is believed to be the first-ever recording of a meteorite fall that includes the sound of impact.
The Incident
The meteorite struck while Velaidum and Kelly were out walking their dogs. Upon returning, they found debris on their walkway. It wasn’t until Kelly’s parents mentioned hearing a loud noise that they checked their Ring camera footage.
Scientific Significance
Geologist Chris Herd from the University of Alberta, who analysed the meteorite fragments, stated: “As the first and only meteorite from the province of PEI, the Charlottetown Meteorite sure announced its arrival in a spectacular way. No other meteorite fall has been documented like this, complete with sound”.
Meteorite Details
- Classification: Ordinary chondrite
- Significance: Provides insight into early Solar System formation
- Impact: Created a tiny 2 cm crater
Context
While space rocks frequently enter Earth’s atmosphere (about 48.5 tons daily), most burn up before reaching the surface. Fireballs occur a few dozen times per year, with intact meteorites rarely landing on inhabited areas.
This extraordinary event highlights the increasing likelihood of capturing such phenomena with the proliferation of cameras in our daily lives, offering new opportunities for scientific observation and study.
