[Reading Science] New Jersey Meteorite Confirmed as 'Space Lotto' Older Than Earth

Analysis by University of New Jersey: Formation Age 4.55 Billion Years
10 Million Years Older Than Earth's Age

On the 8th, a stone that fell on a house in New Jersey, USA, was confirmed to be a meteorite, which is essentially a 'space lottery' ticket. Moreover, it was identified as a very rare type from the early formation of the solar system, older than the age of the Earth.

A meteorite that fell on a house in New Jersey, USA, on the 8th (local time). Photo by New Jersey University website

Space.com, a space-specialized media outlet, reported on the 14th (local time) that Professor Nathan Maggi of the Department of Physics at Rutgers University stated that the meteorite, which pierced through the ceiling of a house in Hopewell Township, Titusville County, New Jersey on the 8th, was immediately recognizable as a "stony chondrite." Professor Maggi had previously received a request from the police for compositional analysis right after the meteorite was found. In particular, the Rutgers University research team's analysis estimated the meteorite to be over 4.55 billion years old, which is more than 10 million years older than the Earth's age of approximately 4.54 billion years. This means it has existed since the formation of the solar system.

Chondrites are common, accounting for about 85% of meteorites found on Earth. However, they are mostly discovered in Antarctica, and it is extremely rare for even a single one to fall in a densely populated area like this case. This well-preserved meteorite is believed to have broken off from the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which peaked in the early morning of the 6th. Scientists analyze that most meteorites from observed meteor showers burn up in the upper atmosphere, but this meteorite was relatively large and solid, allowing it to fall to the ground, which is a rare occurrence.

According to Rutgers University's analysis, the surface of this meteorite was blackened due to intense heat during its descent through the atmosphere. When observed through a close-up lens, minerals with blue and gray hues were seen along with small amounts of other metallic substances. The research team is currently studying the detailed composition using an electron microscope. Initial analysis identified it as an LL-6 grade chondrite, which contains less iron compared to other meteorites of the same series. Notably, it was confirmed to be at least 30% to as much as 40% stronger than granite or slate, which are the hardest stones on Earth.

Meteorites are rare and valuable because they allow research into the secrets of the birth of Earth and space, and they are traded at considerable prices. According to the '2020 Space White Paper' published by the Ministry of Science and ICT, more than 60,000 meteorites have fallen on Earth so far. The international market price ranges from 5 to 10 dollars per gram. This is why meteorites are called the 'lottery of space.' The most expensive meteorite was the 'Pukan Pallasite,' found by the Uighur people in the Gobi Desert. When first discovered, the meteorite owner bought it for only 30,000 won, but later sold it to the United States for 12 trillion won, making it the most expensive meteorite. Also, the 'Hoba meteorite,' discovered in Namibia, Africa in 1920, is the largest meteorite ever found. It measures 2.7 meters in length and width, 0.9 meters in height, and weighs a whopping 60 tons.

In South Korea, four meteorites found in Jinju in March 2014 are well known. Although the government offered a total of 350 million won, the owner demanded 27 billion won, resulting in a failed purchase, which attracted attention. The current whereabouts of the Jinju meteorites are unknown. According to current law, meteorites belong to the finder.

Finding meteorites is very difficult. They burn and erode due to air friction heat while falling at high speed through the atmosphere. Also, due to weathering, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain their original form over time, and most fall into mountains or seas. This is why finding meteorites is literally like 'picking stars from the sky.' In South Korea, after the Jinju meteorite discovery, a boom in meteorite hunting led to thousands of discovery reports, but none were confirmed as meteorites.