U.S. Home Hits by '1kg Meteorite' Contains Extraterrestrial Amino Acids

A meteorite that pierced the roof of a New Jersey home two years ago has become a focal point for unraveling mysteries of the early solar system. Notably, it contained unique amino acids not found on Earth, drawing significant academic attention. International researchers, including NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and SETI, published their findings in the journal Science Advances. The meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere at 51,500 km/h, causing a sonic boom and breaking apart at 35.4 km altitude. A 1kg fragment struck the ceiling of a Hillsborough home, thankfully without causing injury. The homeowner’s swift action was crucial: they promptly repaired the roof, used gloves, aluminum foil, and glass jars to collect the fragments, preserving the sample. Researchers noted that without the homeowner’s quick response, the meteorite could have contaminated the environment. The meteorite, classified as a CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite, is the first of its kind studied in its original form. Amino acid complexes, including extraterrestrial variants not found on Earth, were detected, suggesting an alien origin. Additionally, high concentrations of salts and organic carbon were found, indicating possible prebiotic chemical reactions within the asteroid.