When a Meteorite Struck Prince Edward Island: The Incredible Story of the Charlottetown Meteorite
EDMONTON, Canada — On a serene afternoon in Canada’s Prince Edward Island, Joe Velaidum and Laura Kelly embarked on a casual walk with their dog. Little did they know, a stray leash in the yard would alter the course of their day in a dramatic way.
As Velaidum picked up the leash, a meteorite crashed onto the walkway just moments later, exactly where he had been standing. The entire incident was caught on a Ring doorbell camera, documenting the close call that occurred in July 2024.
Reflecting on the event, Velaidum shared with CNN, “I never stop on that spot — ever. And looking back on it now, we noticed, because of the video, if I had stayed on that very spot for just two minutes longer, I absolutely would have been struck and probably killed by this meteor.”
Months later, after undergoing lab analysis confirming its extraterrestrial origin, the meteorite was officially cataloged in a database maintained by the nonprofit Meteoritical Society.
The specimen, named “Charlottetown” after the nearby city, gained attention due to the accompanying video released by the University of Alberta. Dr. Chris Herd, a professor at the university, highlighted the uniqueness of the footage, noting that it is a rare documentation of a meteorite fall complete with sound.
Such incidents are incredibly rare in Herd’s field of work, with the University of Alberta’s meteorite reporting system typically receiving numerous submissions that turn out to be false alarms.
Velaidum, initially skeptical of the object’s origin, was surprised to discover that the rock that hit his yard was indeed a meteorite. With the help of experts, the couple confirmed the authenticity of the space rock.
Not only did the incident capture a historic moment on Prince Edward Island, but it also provided valuable data for scientific study. Researchers are analyzing the video to glean insights into the meteorite’s fall and physical properties.
The Charlottetown meteorite, classified as an “ordinary chondrite,” comes from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Its arrival on Earth last July marked a momentous occasion for the scientific community.
Today, the meteorite resides in the University of Alberta’s Meteorite Collection, contributing to our understanding of the universe’s vastness and complexity. As Herd emphasized, the study of meteorites offers a glimpse into the ancient history of our solar system.
While mistaken identifications of space rocks are common, the meticulous process of distinguishing true meteorites from imitations sheds light on the mysteries of our cosmic origins.
Through the saga of the Charlottetown meteorite, a tale of chance encounters and scientific discovery unfolds, showcasing the wonders of the cosmos and the enduring fascination with objects from beyond our world. — CNN
