‘It was pretty crazy’: Team finds meteorite in Canterbury
In an extraordinary twist of fate and a showcase of community spirit and scientific curiosity, New Zealand’s 10th meteorite was discovered this week, not far from the picturesque Lake Tekapo. The event, akin to finding a needle in a haystack, has united stargazers, citizen scientists, and the local community in celebration and intrigue.
Meteorite hunt leader describes seeing ‘fireball streak through the sky’
Under the vast expanse of the New Zealand sky, Dennis Behan, a meteorite enthusiast and part of the group Fireballs Aotearoa, witnessed what can only be described as a spectacular natural phenomenon. While enjoying a tranquil evening in his spa bath in Queenstown, Behan saw a “fireball” tear through the atmosphere. Little did he know that his observation would lead to the discovery of New Zealand’s 10th meteorite, marking a significant milestone for both the group and the nation’s scientific community.
‘We found the bastard’: NZ’s 10th meteorite discovered in Otago
The meteorite made its grand entrance to Earth on March 13, blazing through the atmosphere at an astonishing speed of 50 to 60 kilometres per second. The discovery was made on Crown land in the South Island’s Mackenzie Country, an area of breathtaking beauty and geological intrigue. A team of 20 searchers embarked on a mission to locate the space rock, a journey that was expected to be fraught with challenges given the vastness of the search area – a glacial plain spanning 200 to 300 hectares.
Yet, serendipity was on their side. Before the search had fully commenced, the team, fuelled by anticipation and led by their keen eyesight, found the meteorite. Steve Wyn-Harris, a citizen scientist with Fireballs Aotearoa, excitedly recounted the moment of discovery. Amidst a sea of grey stones, one particular rock stood out. It was dark, almost coal-like, and had embedded itself into the ground, creating a small crater around it. The stone, about a kilo in weight, was an instant oddity among its surroundings.
Upon inspection by geologist Marshall Palmer and later, remotely by Fireballs Aotearoa director James Scott from Germany, the rock’s high nickel content almost confirmed its origin beyond Earth. This initial analysis was a thrilling development for the team, with plans to take the meteorite to Otago University for further confirmation of its extraterrestrial origins. The enthusiasm surrounding this find was palpable, a sentiment echoed by Wyn-Harris, “We found the bastard and this is not just my Everest but Fireballs Aotearoa’s.”
In a poignant gesture of community and scientific endeavor, Jack Weterings, the volunteer who spotted the meteorite, was gifted a fireball camera. This tool will enable him to join the vigilant group of citizen scientists, keeping an ever-watchful eye on the skies. It’s a reminder of the unique bond between the land, its people, and the vast universe beyond. Meteorites found on private land in New Zealand belong to the landowner, but those discovered on public land, like this one, celebrate the age-old tradition of finders-keepers.
This discovery is more than just the finding of a space rock; it’s a testament to the power of community, curiosity, and the ever-present harmony between the cosmos and life on Earth. As the meteorite embarks on its new journey of study and appreciation, one can only imagine the secrets it holds about our solar system and the universe. Indeed, in the vast expanses of both the cosmos and the human thirst for knowledge, the sky is not the limit but just the beginning.
Priyanka