On the morning of July 16, 2024, a meteorite hurtled across the sky above New York City, creating a spectacular fireball. It generated a sonic boom heard as far away as Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. Initially, NASA reported that the rock responsible was unlikely to reach the ground, suggesting it would disintegrate upon entering Earth’s atmosphere.
However, a couple in Hillsborough, N.J., experienced a different outcome. At 11:20 a.m., a loud crash disrupted a man working in his home office. He described the impact as causing the house to shake violently, reminiscent of kitchen cabinets collapsing.
Upon investigation, the man discovered a hole in the bedroom ceiling. The air was filled with a sulfurous smell and fine dust, with black soot marking surfaces in the room. On his pillow lay several dark, rock-like objects.
Reflecting on the incident, the homeowner remarked, “Good thing I didn’t sleep in.” The couple, seeking privacy, chose not to disclose their home’s location.
Their unexpected experience contributed valuable information to scientific research on unusual asteroids. Scientists were able to analyze the rocks, offering insights into the asteroid’s composition.
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