‘Imagine it’s dog poo’: The three critical rules if you find a meteorite
A recent fireball observed in eastern Australia is believed to be a meteor, possibly the size of a basketball. Experts are analyzing its trajectory to determine its origin, which may be cometary rather than asteroidal. The meteor's explosive flash was visible from Sydney to Canberra, indicating it disintegrated upon entry into the atmosphere.
- ▪The meteor was observed traveling at speeds between 11 and 72 kilometers per second.
- ▪Astronomers refer to a meteor brighter than Venus as a 'fireball'.
- ▪The explosive nature of the meteor suggests it was likely rocky or icy.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.