In an event that blends the ordinary with the extraordinary, a doorbell camera in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, captured the rare sight and sound of a meteorite crashing to Earth. This occurrence, which unfolded in the summer of 2024, is not only a testament to the marvels of technology but also a reminder of our planet's connection to the vast cosmos. The event marked the first time a meteorite's impact was recorded in both video and audio, providing scientists with a wealth of data and the public with a jaw-dropping story.
On the evening of July 25, 2024, Joe Velaidum and Laura Kelly, residents of a quiet neighborhood in Charlottetown, were out walking their dogs. It was a routine activity, one that gave them a chance to unwind after a long day. They returned home, expecting nothing out of the ordinary. However, what greeted them at their doorstep was anything but routine.
As they approached their house, they noticed a strange, starburst-shaped pattern of gray dust on their brick walkway. Confused and intrigued, they initially thought it might have been caused by construction debris or some odd vandalism. Seeking answers, the couple turned to their Ring doorbell camera, a device installed for security but now poised to reveal something extraordinary.
The footage showed a small, fast-moving object streaking from the night sky, hitting their walkway with a thunderous crash. The camera's microphone captured the sound—a loud, sharp bang followed by a muffled rumble, reminiscent of a small explosion. Gray dust erupted into the air upon impact, creating a plume that quickly settled into the starburst pattern they had noticed.
"The shocking thing for me is that I was standing right there a couple of minutes before this impact," Velaidum later recounted in an interview with CBC News. "It probably would've ripped me in half."
Recognizing the unusual nature of the incident, the couple carefully collected the debris. They managed to recover approximately 95 grams of fragmented material—7 grams from a nearby patch of grass and 88 grams using a vacuum and a magnet to sift through the dust. These samples were sent to the University of Alberta for analysis.
Chris Herd, a geologist and curator of the university's meteorite collection, confirmed the extraterrestrial origin of the debris. He identified it as an H5 ordinary chondrite, a common type of meteorite that originates from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The meteorite’s classification suggested it contained a mix of silicate minerals, metal, and small amounts of organic compounds.
"This is the first time that we've been able to record the fall of a meteorite both in video and sound," Herd told Canada’s CTV News. "From a scientific perspective, it's groundbreaking."
Herd explained that the meteorite had likely been traveling at an incredible speed—around 60,000 kilometers per hour (approximately 37,000 miles per hour)—before entering Earth’s atmosphere. As it descended, it slowed to about 200 kilometers per hour (124 miles per hour) due to the frictional resistance of the atmosphere. Despite this deceleration, the energy released upon impact was significant, creating a crater-like impression and dispersing debris.
The Charlottetown meteorite’s journey began billions of years ago in the asteroid belt, a region filled with rocky remnants from the early solar system. Like many other meteoroids, it likely collided with other celestial objects, breaking into smaller fragments. At some point, gravitational forces redirected its path toward Earth.
As the meteorite entered Earth's atmosphere, it transformed into a fireball, or bolide, creating a spectacular streak of light visible to observers. The intense heat and pressure caused parts of the meteorite to vaporize, but the core remained intact, ultimately crashing in Charlottetown.
Meteorite falls—events where meteoroids survive their fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere and land on the surface—are exceedingly rare. According to the Meteoritical Bulletin Database, as of February 2023, only 1,372 confirmed falls have been documented globally. Most meteorites either burn up completely upon atmospheric entry or land in remote, uninhabited areas where they go unnoticed.
What sets the Charlottetown meteorite apart is not just its impact location but also the fact that its descent and crash were captured in real-time. This is the first known instance where both the sights and sounds of a meteorite impact were recorded. The audio data is particularly valuable for scientists studying the physics of meteoritic impacts, as it provides insights into the energy released and the material properties of the meteorite.
The story of the Charlottetown meteorite quickly captured public attention. News outlets around the world—from the BBC to The New York Times—reported on the event, emphasizing its rarity and scientific significance. Social media platforms buzzed with discussions, as people marveled at the doorbell camera footage and the couple’s close call.
"It's like something out of a sci-fi movie," one Twitter user commented. "Imagine stepping out for a walk and coming back to find a meteorite hit your yard!"
For Velaidum and Kelly, the experience was both humbling and awe-inspiring. Reflecting on the event, Velaidum told NPR, "We think our lives are so important, filled with all our little concerns and egos. Then something like this happens, and it puts everything into perspective."
On January 13, 2025, the Meteoritical Society officially named the meteorite after Charlottetown, the city where it landed. The Charlottetown meteorite now holds a special place in the University of Alberta’s meteorite collection, where it will be studied by scientists and displayed for the public.
The incident also highlighted the growing role of consumer technology in scientific discovery. Devices like doorbell cameras, initially designed for home security, are increasingly becoming tools for documenting natural phenomena. Their widespread availability and ability to capture high-quality video and audio make them invaluable for researchers.
The Charlottetown meteorite serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our universe and the ever-present interactions between Earth and space. While most meteorites pose little threat to human life, larger impacts can have catastrophic consequences. For instance, the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor explosion in Russia injured over 1,500 people and caused widespread damage.
Events like these underscore the importance of studying meteoroids and improving our ability to detect and track them. Organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are actively working on planetary defense initiatives, including the development of early warning systems and impact mitigation strategies.
The Charlottetown meteorite crash is a rare and extraordinary event that has captivated both scientists and the general public. From its origin in the asteroid belt to its fiery descent and final impact, the meteorite’s journey offers a glimpse into the workings of the cosmos. For Joe Velaidum and Laura Kelly, the experience was a brush with the infinite—a reminder of humanity’s place in a vast and dynamic universe.
As Chris Herd aptly put it, "The Charlottetown meteorite announced its arrival in a spectacular way." This event not only enriches our scientific understanding but also inspires awe and curiosity about the mysteries of the universe. It’s a story that will be told for generations to come, reminding us to keep looking up—and to always expect the unexpected.
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