Charlottetown meteorite
{{Short description|Meteorite fall in Prince Edward Island, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English |date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox meteorite
|Name = Charlottetown
|Alternative names =
|Image =
|Image_caption =
|Type = Chondrite
|Class = Ordinary chondrite
|Group = H2
|Grouplet =
|Subgroup =
|Structural_classification =
|Parent body =
|Composition =
|Shock =
|Weathering =
|Country = Canada
|Region = Prince Edward Island
|Lat_Long =
|Observed_fall = Yes
|Fall_date = {{Format date|2024|07|25|17|02|20|-03:00}}
|Found_date = {{Format date|2024|07|25|-03:00}}
|TKW = {{cvt|95|g}}
|Strewn_field =
|Image2 =
|Image2_caption =
}}
The Charlottetown meteorite was a meteorite fall observed on July 25, 2024. It is notable as the first meteorite known with video and audio of the impact recorded and as the only known meteorite fall in Prince Edward Island, Canada.{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Brun |work=CBC News |title=P.E.I. homeowner captures sound and video of meteorite strike on camera, and scientists believe it's a first |date=January 13, 2025 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-charlottetown-meteorite-strike-first-audio-1.7430018 }}
The Charlottetown meteorite is classified as H5 ordinary chondrite.{{cite web |url=https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=84378 |website=Meteoritical Bulletin Database |title=Charlottetown }} Its impact left a divot measuring about {{cvt|2|cm|in}} across.
Impact
After an evening walk in the Marshfield neighbourhood of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Laura Kelly and her partner Joe Velaidum found a starburst pattern of gray dust on their sidewalk. They cleared it away, not knowing what it was. Upon discovering home security camera footage of the impact, they suspected it was a meteorite. They contacted researchers, connecting with Chris Herd of the University of Alberta Meteorite Collection, and collected material from the impact.{{cite web |title=What does a space rock sound like when it hits the ground? First ever meteorite to land in Prince Edward Island is caught on camera, makes auditory history and ends up in U of A collection |url=https://www.ualberta.ca/en/news/news-releases-and-statements/news-releases/2025/jan/what-does-a-space-rock-sound-like-when-it-hits-the-ground-first-ever-meteorite-to-land-in-prince-edward-island-is-caught-on-camera-makes-auditory-history-and-ends-up-in-u-of-a-collection.html |date=January 13, 2025 |website=University of Alberta |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115085444/https://www.ualberta.ca/en/news/news-releases-and-statements/news-releases/2025/jan/what-does-a-space-rock-sound-like-when-it-hits-the-ground-first-ever-meteorite-to-land-in-prince-edward-island-is-caught-on-camera-makes-auditory-history-and-ends-up-in-u-of-a-collection.html |url-status=live }}
The recorded sound of the impact has been described as similar to breaking ice. The impact created a divot some {{convert|2|cm|in}} in diameter. Velaidum reports that he was standing at that location minutes before the meteorite struck it; he considers the event "a near-death experience".{{cite magazine |first=Margherita |last=Bassi |date=January 16, 2025 |magazine=Smithsonian Magazine |title=Meteorite Crash in Canada Is Caught by Home Security Camera in Likely World-First Video Footage |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meteorite-crash-in-canada-is-caught-by-home-security-camera-in-likely-world-first-video-footage-180985847/ |access-date=January 18, 2025 |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119073219/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meteorite-crash-in-canada-is-caught-by-home-security-camera-in-likely-world-first-video-footage-180985847/ |url-status=live }}
The meteorite came from the asteroid belt, according to the University of Alberta researcher, and would have traveled at least {{convert|200|km/h|mph|0}} just prior to impact.{{r|Bassi2025|Brun2025}}