Middlesbrough meteorite
Encyclopedia
The Middlesbrough Meteorite fell in Middlesbrough
, England
on 14 March 1881.
The meteorite
fell on the afternoon of 14 March 1881, impacting the ground around 3.35 pm. Although there were reports that sound generated as the object travelled through the Earth's atmosphere was heard in some areas of Yorkshire, the meteorite was unusual in that the sonic boom
that would normally be associated with a meteorite entering the atmosphere was not heard by anyone who witnessed the fall, nor where there were no reports of either a fireball or smoke trail. The site of the impact was at the railway siding Pennymans's Siding, close to the site of the present-day St. Luke's Hospital
. The impact was witnessed by workmen only yards away, who heard a "rushing or roaring" sound followed by thud, as the meteorite hit a nearby embankment, leaving a hole described by the astronomer Alexander Herschel
as a "round vertical hole into which a man's arm might be thrust". The meteorite had penetrated to about 30 cms depth and was described as "new milk warm" to the touch by the workmen when they retrieved the object.
Herschel, who was then Professor of Physics and Experimental Sciences at Durham College of Physical Science in Newcastle upon Tyne
, rushed to Middlesbrough on hearing the news to supervise the recovery and examination of the meteorite. By experimentation, replicating the conditions of the impact, he determined the speed of the object at the time was 412 feet per second (281 mph). This result was viewed as partial confirmation of a theory of the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli
that meteorites lost most of their cosmic velocity, the velocity they had before entering the Earth's atmosphere, due to air resistance at a high altitude in the atmosphere.
The Middlesbrough meteorite is classified as a chondrite
. It is approximately 4,500 million years old and was formed at the same time as the Earth and the solar system. It is approximately 6 inches in diameter, weighs 3 pounds 8.75 ounces (approximately 1.5 kg) and has a crust of unusual thickness - it was recovered in one piece. A 3D Scan
scan of the object was made by NASA scientists in 2010.
Due to Middlesbrough not having a museum at the time of its fall to Earth, the meteorite was handed over to the Yorkshire Museum
where it has been ever since. In March 2011, the 130th anniversary of its fall to Earth, it was loaned to the town's Dorman Museum
where it was put on display for several weeks.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
on 14 March 1881.
The meteorite
Meteorite
A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Meteorites can be big or small. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids...
fell on the afternoon of 14 March 1881, impacting the ground around 3.35 pm. Although there were reports that sound generated as the object travelled through the Earth's atmosphere was heard in some areas of Yorkshire, the meteorite was unusual in that the sonic boom
Sonic boom
A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves created by an object traveling through the air faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms generate enormous amounts of sound energy, sounding much like an explosion...
that would normally be associated with a meteorite entering the atmosphere was not heard by anyone who witnessed the fall, nor where there were no reports of either a fireball or smoke trail. The site of the impact was at the railway siding Pennymans's Siding, close to the site of the present-day St. Luke's Hospital
St Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough
St Luke's Hospital, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England is unique as it is a remaining example of a well intact Victorian asylum. The building now provides a range of services for adults and older people with mental health problems and learning disabilities...
. The impact was witnessed by workmen only yards away, who heard a "rushing or roaring" sound followed by thud, as the meteorite hit a nearby embankment, leaving a hole described by the astronomer Alexander Herschel
Alexander Stewart Herschel
Professor Alexander Stewart Herschel was a British astronomer, born in Feldhausen, South Africa.He was the son of John Herschel and the grandson of William Herschel. Although much less well known than either of them, he did pioneering work in meteor spectroscopy. He also worked on identifying...
as a "round vertical hole into which a man's arm might be thrust". The meteorite had penetrated to about 30 cms depth and was described as "new milk warm" to the touch by the workmen when they retrieved the object.
Herschel, who was then Professor of Physics and Experimental Sciences at Durham College of Physical Science in Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, rushed to Middlesbrough on hearing the news to supervise the recovery and examination of the meteorite. By experimentation, replicating the conditions of the impact, he determined the speed of the object at the time was 412 feet per second (281 mph). This result was viewed as partial confirmation of a theory of the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli
Giovanni Schiaparelli
Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli was an Italian astronomer and science historian. He studied at the University of Turin and Berlin Observatory. In 1859-1860 he worked in Pulkovo Observatory and then worked for over forty years at Brera Observatory...
that meteorites lost most of their cosmic velocity, the velocity they had before entering the Earth's atmosphere, due to air resistance at a high altitude in the atmosphere.
The Middlesbrough meteorite is classified as a chondrite
Chondrite
Chondrites are stony meteorites that have not been modified due to melting or differentiation of the parent body. They formed when various types of dust and small grains that were present in the early solar system accreted to form primitive asteroids...
. It is approximately 4,500 million years old and was formed at the same time as the Earth and the solar system. It is approximately 6 inches in diameter, weighs 3 pounds 8.75 ounces (approximately 1.5 kg) and has a crust of unusual thickness - it was recovered in one piece. A 3D Scan
3D scanner
A 3D scanner is a device that analyzes a real-world object or environment to collect data on its shape and possibly its appearance . The collected data can then be used to construct digital, three dimensional models....
scan of the object was made by NASA scientists in 2010.
Due to Middlesbrough not having a museum at the time of its fall to Earth, the meteorite was handed over to the Yorkshire Museum
Yorkshire Museum
The Yorkshire Museum is a museum in York, England. It is the home of the Cawood sword, and has four permanent collections, covering biology, geology, archaeology and astronomy...
where it has been ever since. In March 2011, the 130th anniversary of its fall to Earth, it was loaned to the town's Dorman Museum
Dorman Museum
Dorman Museum is a general museum located in Linthorpe within the borough of Middlesbrough and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. From its establishment in 1904 initial thematical leanings were towards the natural sciences, although galleries of the local Linthorpe Pottery, and of...
where it was put on display for several weeks.