Meteor fragments could have landed in south Wales

 A meteorite has landed somewhere in south Wales, and people have been encouraged to keep an eye out for it.

 

According to the UK Fireball Alliance, a fireball that lit up the night sky last week may have dropped a meteorite either in Bridgend county or Rhondda Cynon Taf (UKFAll).

 

People were asked not to contact it with their bare hands or with a magnet, according to the scientists.

 

The meteorite was "possibly glossy black or brown," according to Dr Jana Horák of the National Museum Cardiff.

 

Dr Horák, a UKFALL member, said it was like looking for a needle in a haystack seeking for rocks smaller than an apple in such a large region, so he asked if anyone had found anything intriguing or unique during the weekend.

 

Asteroid debris weighing about 20 kilogrammes (44 pounds) reached the atmosphere at a speed of approximately 30 kilometres per second.

 

The majority of the boulder vaporised in the sky in seconds, but it was estimated that about 100g survived and landed north of Bridgend.

 

What to do if you find a meteorite?

Scientists at London's Natural History Museum issued advice to anyone who believes they have discovered a piece.

 

"The meteorite will not be hot and is as safe to handle as any other rock," said Dr. Ashley King of the planetary materials group. "However, please do not pick it up with your bare hands since this will contaminate the stone."

 

"Also, don't use a magnet to test it, as this could damage important data."

 

"It could be on a lawn or a walkway, where rocks aren't typically found."

 

"Don't take any risks looking for it and don't go into locations where you shouldn't. However, if you discover something unusual within the calculated fall area, we'll be curious to investigate."

 

Anyone who believes they have found a piece of the meteorite should email wales@ukfall.org.uk with a photo and GPS coordinates.

Reference: BBC News