In a stunning cosmic coincidence, a Ring doorbell camera in Prince Edward Island, Canada, has recorded the frist-ever footage of a meteorite crashing to Earth—complete with sound. The extraordinary event unfolded on July 25, 2024, when Joe Velaidum and his wife laura stepped out for a routine dog walk, unaware of the celestial drama about to unfold.
As the couple strolled through their neighborhood, a meteorite streaked across the sky and exploded near their front door. The impact left behind a scattering of black, star-shaped fragments on their sidewalk.“We didn’t know what had happened until we returned home,” Velaidum recalls. “Laura’s parents, who live nearby, heard a loud bang and came over to check on us.”
Initially skeptical, Velaidum reviewed the footage from his ring camera and was stunned to see the meteorite’s fiery descent and explosive impact.“It was surreal,” he says. “I was standing in that exact spot just minutes before. if I had lingered a little longer, I might not be here today.”
Velaidum quickly contacted Chris Herd, a renowned meteorite expert at the University of Alberta, who confirmed the authenticity of the fragments. “This is a rare and scientifically important event,” Herd explains. “Not only do we have visual evidence,but we also have audio—something we’ve never captured before.”
The meteorite, now dubbed the “Charlottetown Meteorite,” was found to originate from the asteroid belt.Analysis revealed it to be an ordinary chondrite, the most common type of meteorite to strike Earth. “This revelation provides valuable insights into the composition and behavior of these space rocks,” Herd adds.
Reflecting on the close call, Velaidum remains awestruck. “It’s mind-blowing to think that this rock traveled hundreds of millions of miles and landed right where I was standing just moments earlier. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable and extraordinary life can be.”
for scientists and skywatchers alike, this event marks a groundbreaking moment. As Herd puts it,“From a scientific perspective,this is entirely new. It’s not something we’ve ever encountered before.”
What Makes This Discovery So Unique?
The Charlottetown Meteorite is more than just a rare find—it’s a scientific goldmine. The combination of visual and audio data offers researchers an unprecedented opportunity to study the dynamics of meteorite impacts. “Having both the sight and sound of the event allows us to analyze the speed, trajectory, and force of the impact in ways we never could before,” Herd notes.
for Velaidum, the experience has been life-changing. “It’s not every day that you come face-to-face with something from outer space,” he says. “It’s a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things,and how much we still have to learn about the universe.”
As the fragments continue to be studied, one thing is clear: this extraordinary event has left an indelible mark—not just on Velaidum’s front yard, but on the scientific community as well.
“It’s really awesome. It’s actually the first and only meteorite ever found on the Island, and what a way to make that discovery,” Herd tells CBC. “Every time that this happens, it’s a new sample from space. It’s from the asteroid belt… between mars and Jupiter, so it’s come a long way.”
In the summer of 2024, a remarkable discovery was made in Marshfield, PEI. For the first time, a meteorite was found on the island, marking a significant milestone in the field of planetary science. The specimens collected on july 25, 2024, and August 8, 2024, provide a tangible connection to the cosmos, offering insights into the vast asteroid belt situated between Mars and Jupiter.
This celestial rock, journeying from the depths of space, has traveled an unbelievable distance to reach Earth. The find not only excites the scientific community but also brings a sense of wonder to the public. It’s a reminder of the universe’s vastness and the mysteries that lie beyond our planet.
“Every time that this happens, it’s a new sample from space,” Herd emphasizes. The discovery underscores the importance of continued exploration and study of extraterrestrial materials, which hold clues about the universe’s composition and history.
As the University of Alberta leads the analysis, the samples from Marshfield, PEI, are expected to reveal new insights into the origins and evolution of these ancient space travelers. This discovery not only adds to the scientific body of knowledge but also ignites curiosity about what lies beyond our earthly confines.
