Georgia meteorite older than Earth identified

Scientists confirm the McDonough Meteorite is 4.56 billion years old, offering clues about the solar system’s early days.

Georgia meteorite older than Earth reshapes space history

A meteorite named the McDonough Meteorite fell in June and dented a Henry County home in Georgia. Scientists from the University of Georgia analyzed 23 of the 50 grams recovered, classifying it as a Low Metal (L) ordinary Chondrite and dating it to about 4.56 billion years old. The study links the rock to a breakup of a larger asteroid in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter, with fragments later entering Earth crossing orbits.

The rock was part of a rare daytime fireball seen over the region during the Bootids meteor shower. It damaged the homeowner’s roof and floor, and dashcam footage from Lexington County captured a bright flash. The University of Georgia will publish a scientific paper and submit the meteorite’s name and findings to the Meteoritical Society, while tests continue to better understand meteorite threats to Earth.

The McDonough Meteorite is more than a scientific treasure; it is a window into the solar system’s early years. Its age and origin illustrate how rocks travel from the asteroid belt to Earth, sometimes crossing paths with our daily lives. The case shows how local institutions can connect classroom science with real world events, turning a rooftop dent into a long term research opportunity. It also underscores the need for clear science communication about meteor threats, so the public understands what is rare, what is routine, and what to watch for in the sky.

Highlights

The sky keeps revealing its oldest stories to the communities that watch it fall.