Thousands across the UK witnessed a slow-moving fireball meteor on 28 February 2021 at 9:54 PM. A fireball meteor, space debris entering the atmosphere at high speeds, creates heat and light visible in the night sky.
Event Details
- Reports: Nearly 800 witness reports and videos from doorbell and dashboard cameras across the UK.
- Observations: Many reported hearing a sonic boom or rumbling noise.
- Camera Records: Captured by our cameras in Wilcot (Wiltshire) and Chard near Exeter.
- Material: Believed to be softer cometary or asteroidal material with fragmentation observed.
Scientific Analysis
Dr. Ashley King of the Natural History Museum and UKFAll explained that the meteor was traveling at about 30,000 miles per hour, ruling out human-made space debris. The meteor’s orbit suggested it originated between Mars and Jupiter, similar to an asteroid.
Dr. Sarah McMullan of UKFAll noted that about 50 tonnes of extraterrestrial material enters Earth’s atmosphere annually, with most being sand-sized particles known as cosmic dust. However, about twenty meteorites land in the UK each year, with a few being larger, as likely in this case.
Public Advisory
Due to the national lockdown, the public is advised not to travel to the area specifically to search for meteorite fragments. If local residents find fragments, they should contact UKMON or the Natural History Museum.
Dr. Katherine Joy of the University of Manchester advises that if you find a meteorite, photograph it in place, note the location using GPS, avoid touching it with a magnet or hands, and pick it up using a clean plastic bag or aluminum foil.