The Murchison Meteorite Meets Earth
September 28, 1969, about 10:45 AM
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Artist's rendering of the Murchison meteor approaching Earth in 1969.
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The Murchison meteorite landed in Murchison, Australia in 1969, only two months after the first man landed on the moon. Eyewitnesses saw the bright orange ball with a smoky blue trail passing through the night sky before it broke apart above the Earth with a sonic boom. Several hundred pieces fell around Murchison, ranging in size from a few ounces up to 113 pounds. The dramatic meteor shower caused only minor property damage, with one fragment puncturing a hay shed roof.
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