On June 26, 2025, a fireball was seen across Georgia and South Carolina, with numerous witnesses reporting sightings. The fireball eventually crashed into a home in McDonough, Georgia, leaving a hole in the roof and a dent in the floor. The object, later identified as the McDonough Meteorite, was found to be 4.56 billion years old, making it 20 million years older than Earth.
Residents in Georgia and surrounding areas heard a loud noise as the fireball passed through the sky. The meteorite traveled at about 1 kilometer per second before hitting the roof of a home in Henry County, Georgia. The homeowner reported finding small pieces of space dust around his living room after the meteorite’s impact.
Scott Harris, a geologist from the University of Georgia, studied the meteorite fragments. Using optical and electron microscopy, Harris identified the rock as a chondrite, a type of stony meteorite. He determined that the meteorite formed 4.56 billion years ago, based on its composition and classification.
The meteorite is believed to have originated from an asteroid in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Around 470 million years ago, this asteroid likely broke apart, sending fragments on a path that eventually crossed Earth’s orbit.
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Get Featured Today → Powered by 24-7 Press ReleaseThe McDonough Meteorite is the 27th meteorite recovered in Georgia’s history. It is also the sixth meteorite fall that was directly witnessed. Meteorites are rare events, with the McDonough meteorite being one of the few visible during the day. Fireballs like this one are typically seen at night and must be very bright to be visible during daylight hours. This meteorite reached a magnitude of -14, which is brighter than the full moon.
The meteorite’s impact left a hole in the roof the size of a golf ball, and it created a dent in the floor. The energy from the meteorite caused some fragments to break down into dust. The homeowner reported hearing three distinct sounds during the event: the impact on the roof, a small sonic boom, and the final hit on the floor.
Scientists are continuing to study the McDonough Meteorite to learn more about its composition and speed. The research aims to better understand the potential risks posed by meteorites and improve preparedness for any future events. The meteorite is currently stored at the University of Georgia, with pieces of it also being displayed at the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, Georgia.
This meteorite is part of an increasing number of meteorite recoveries in the region, thanks to modern technology and increased public awareness. Scientists hope that these discoveries will help in understanding the origins of meteorites and the risks they may pose.
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