Witnessed fall
A witnessed fall is a meteorite whose arrival was seen or heard by people.
A witnessed fall is exactly what it sounds like: people saw a fireball, heard bangs, or even watched a stone hit the ground, and the meteorite was then found. Scientists record such meteorites as falls.
Witnessed falls changed history. Two hundred years ago, many scientists did not believe stones could drop from the sky. Then, on 26 April 1803, thousands of stones rained down near the town of L'Aigle in Normandy, France. A young scientist named Jean-Baptiste Biot visited, spoke to many eyewitnesses and studied the stones. His careful report helped convince scientists that meteorites really do come from space.
Eyewitnesses still matter today. Reports of the time, direction and sounds help scientists work out where pieces landed. If you ever witness a fall, stay safe, note what you saw, and report it. A freshly fallen meteorite is usually cool enough to touch, but it is best not to handle it with bare hands; pick it up with clean foil or a clean bag, and keep it away from magnets and water so scientists can study it as it arrived.
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Level: Beginner Ages 7 and up