Red Shirt Volunteer 0 Posted June 13, 2004 (edited) Thought this meteorite story was kind of interesting, especially considering the name of the family whose house it hit: The Archers. The story's from the BBC. Space rock smashes into NZ home A grapefruit-sized meteorite has crashed through the roof of a house in Auckland, New Zealand. The rock hit a sofa and then bounced back up to the ceiling, before coming to rest under a computer. "There was just a huge explosion and we looked around and there was just dust everywhere," home-owner Brenda Archer told New Zealand television. The meteorite was probably travelling at about 500 km/h (300 mph) when it hit the house, experts say. "I'm just glad no one was sitting on the couch because they would have got absolutely crowned," Mrs Archer said. A beauty When the meteorite entered the atmosphere, it is estimated to have been the size of a basketball, travelling at about 50,000 km/h (30,000 mph). Collectors worldwide are expected to offer the Archers cash for the 1.3-kg (3lb) rock. Meteorite expert Joel Schiff from Auckland University said it could be worth more than US$5,000. "Falling through a roof is really an exceptional event and this is a beautiful, large specimen," he said. The overwhelming majority of meteorites entering the atmosphere burn up before reaching the Earth. The chances a house being hit by a space rock have been measured in the billions-to-one - although two such incidents were reported last September - in New Orleans in the US and in India's Orissa state. BBC: Space rock smashes into NZ home Edited June 14, 2004 by Red Shirt Volunteer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeanway 0 Posted June 13, 2004 (edited) I think about something like that, all the time, I live on the top floor Except I think it'll be a jet engine coming crashing through the roof. Edited June 13, 2004 by Jeanway Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WEAREBORG4102 0 Posted June 13, 2004 I've always wanted a meteorite... Come on... need one to hit right now... Dang... I'm going to have to buy one... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theunicornhunter 2 Posted June 13, 2004 Well, Jeanway one family didn't get a jet engine but they got a big chunk of that frozen green septic fluid from a jet fall through the roof. Ewwwww You know, when I read that story I immediately thought of another incident where the meteor landed by the computer...odd coincidence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Luthien 0 Posted June 14, 2004 Wooow that sounds really scary,im glad something like that doesnt happen anytime soon in Holland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derro 0 Posted June 15, 2004 The good thing is no one got hurt & now they have $5,000+ rock woohoo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
