HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A metallic object that punched a gap within the roof of a central New Jersey residence this week, smashing right into a hardwood flooring and bouncing round a bed room, was a meteorite, consultants introduced Thursday.
Scientists with The School of New Jersey decided the 6-by-4-inch object, which weighs about 2.2 kilos, is a uncommon stony chondrite meteorite. They got here to that conclusion after conducting a visible examination, making density measurements and scanning electron microscope photos. They have been assisted of their work by Jerry Delaney, a retired meteorite knowledgeable from Rutgers College and the American Museum of Pure Historical past.
“Getting the prospect to look at the meteorite (Wednesday) was a uncommon and thrilling alternative for me, in addition to for a gaggle of physics college students and professors at TCNJ,” stated Nathan Magee, chair of the varsity’s physics division. “We’re excited to have the ability to verify that the item is a real chondrite meteorite, in glorious situation, and one in all a really small variety of related witnessed chondrite falls recognized to science.”
The household that owns the house found the black, potato-sized rock in a nook — nonetheless heat round 12:30 p.m. Monday. The consultants consider it hit the house a short while earlier than it was discovered.
No one was damage, and there was no severe harm to the residence, stated police in Hopewell Township, north of the state capital of Trenton.
Suzy Kop, whose household owns the house, stated they initially thought somebody had thrown a rock into an upstairs bed room Monday, however they quickly realized that wasn’t the case. Kop stated hazmat officers responded to their residence to test it out alongside along with her household, in case they’d been uncovered to some kind of radioactive materials, however these checks have been all adverse.