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Adapted from How to Kill an Asteroid: The Real Science of Planetary Defense by Robin George Andrews. Copyright © 2024 by Robin George Andrews. Used with permission of the publisher, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Unexpected Visitor from Space
Rob Wilcock shared his story over coffee in a cozy London bookstore café, reflecting on how it took him several days to grasp the significance of what he had discovered. “I never really thought about meteorites before,” he admitted, unsure of their rarity or importance. What began as a simple find—a bag containing approximately eleven ounces of dark, sooty material—soon transformed into a thrilling realization that this substance was likely debris from space-station/” title=”Vast Unveils Exciting Microgravity Lab Plans for Its Haven-1 Private Space Station!”>outer space.
A Cosmic Event in Winchcombe
The Wilcock family resides in Winchcombe, a picturesque town nestled within the Cotswolds region known for its lush landscapes and charming gardens. Until March 2021, life there was tranquil and unremarkable—until February 28th changed everything when an extraordinary event occurred at around 10 p.m.: a meteor exploded silently overhead, scattering fragments across the area.
Initially unnoticed by most residents that calm Sunday evening—including Rob and his family—only members of the UK Fireball Alliance were aware of this celestial occurrence as they monitored reports from their observatories.
The Discovery
While relaxing at home that night, Hannah Wilcock heard what she thought was something falling—a sound reminiscent of a picture frame tumbling off its hook—but dismissed it until morning when she spotted an unusual pile outside on their driveway: dark soot-like material scattered across the ground.
Curious yet puzzled about its origin, Rob texted his sons with excitement: “POSSIBLY FROM SPACE?” along with photos showcasing their mysterious find. One son quickly informed them about fireball sightings reported throughout Gloucestershire which prompted Rob to investigate further online where scientists urged locals who found any strange rock-like objects not to discard them but rather preserve them safely for analysis.
Handling Extraterrestrial Material Safely
Imagine facing such an unexpected situation without scientific expertise or prior knowledge about space phenomena; how would you react upon discovering what could potentially be extraterrestrial remnants? Cathryn expressed her concerns regarding safety—was it dangerous? Should they approach it cautiously?
The peculiar pile resembled an anthill made up entirely of coffee grounds; while it might have brewed an otherworldly espresso if processed correctly, common sense prevailed as they donned rubber gloves and carefully collected samples using polyethylene bags and plastic containers while employing toothbrushes and stainless steel utensils for finer bits before sealing everything securely away indoors.
The post When a meteor smashes into your driveway appeared first on Popular Science.
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