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ISU Geologists Study Mysterious Rock

Possible Space Rock

Could this be a meteorite?

ISU geologists are studying a mysterious rock to determine whether it is a meteorite. The object, widely reported as a possible meteorite, crashed through the window of a Bloomington resident’s window at 9:40 a.m. on March 5th. Traveling 60 mph at a 71 degree angle, the object traveled through the window, a computer desk, a chair, and then struck the floor. Homeowners David and Dee Riddle called the police to file a report. A hazmat team determined there was no radioactivity, and a ballistics team investigated the path of the object. Dr. Robert “Skip” Nelson, ISU Department of Geology, was later called to the scene to investigate the object, and after a few preliminary tests, several professors determined that it was possible that the object was a meteorite.  “This object has certainly created a stir of excitement around the Department, and it has been fun to work on,” said Dr. David Malone, Geography and Geology Department Chair. “I look forward to the results of more sophisticated tests done at the U.S. Geological Survey that will prove whether or not this is indeed a meteorite.”

The rock will be sent to a U.S. Geological Survey center in Flagstaff, Arizona for additional testing. According to Nelson, the geology department gets about two calls a year regarding suspected meteorites.
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