| Sylacauga | |
|---|---|
_Meteorite_(cropped).jpg) The Hodges fragment of the meteorite at theAlabama Museum of Natural History inTuscaloosa, Alabama. | |
| Type | Chondrite |
| Class | Ordinary chondrite |
| Group | H4 |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Alabama |
| Coordinates | 33°11′18.1″N86°17′40.2″W / 33.188361°N 86.294500°W /33.188361; -86.294500 |
| Observed fall | Yes |
| Fall date | 18:46 UT on November 30, 1954 |
| TKW | 5.54 kg |
| Strewn field | Yes |
 Related media on Wikimedia Commons | |
TheSylacaugameteorite fell on November 30, 1954, at 12:46 p.m. local time (18:46 UT)[1] inOak Grove,Alabama, nearSylacauga, in theUnited States. It is also commonly called theHodges meteorite because a fragment of it struckAnn Elizabeth Fowler Hodges (1920–1972).[2]
Thegrapefruit-sized fragment crashed through the roof of a farm house, bounced off a large woodenconsole radio, and hit Hodges while she napped on a couch.[3] The 34-year-old woman was badly bruised on one side of her body, but was able to walk and able to take photos showing the fresh wound.[4]
Themeteor made a fireball visible from three American states as it streaked through theatmosphere, even though it fell early in the afternoon.[5] There were also indications of an air blast, as witnesses described hearing "explosions or loud booms".[6]
The meteorite was confiscated by the Sylacauga police chief, who then turned it over to theUnited States Air Force.[7] Both the Hodgeses and their landlord, Bertie Guy, claimed ownership of the rock, Guy's claim being that it had fallen on her property.[7] The Hodgeses and Guy settled, with the Hodgeses paying $500 for the rock.[7] However, by the time it was returned to the Hodgeses, over a year later, public attention had diminished, and they were unable to then find a buyer.[7][8]
Ann Hodges was uncomfortable with the public attention and the stress of the dispute over ownership of the meteorite.[9] The Hodgeses donated it to theAlabama Museum of Natural History in 1956.[7]
The day after the fall, local farmer Julius McKinney came upon the second-largest fragment from the same meteorite.[10] AnIndianapolis-based lawyer bought it for theSmithsonian Institution.[10] The McKinney family was able to use the money to buy a car and a house.[10]
The earliest claim of a person being hit by a meteorite comes from 1677 in a manuscript published atTortona, Italy, which tells of aMilanese friar who was killed by one, although its veracity is unknown.[11] TheTunguska event in 1908 is reported to have caused three casualties.[12] In 1992, a small meteorite fragment (3g) hit a young Ugandan boy inMbale;[13] it had been slowed by a tree and caused no injury.
On the night of October 3, 2021, a meteorite fell through the roof of a house inGolden, British Columbia, landing on a sleeping woman's pillow, but without harming her.[14]
Upon the entry into theatmosphere, the Sylacauga meteorite fragmented into at least three pieces:[1]
The Sylacauga meteorite is classified as anordinary chondrite ofH4 group.[2]
Themeteoroid came in on the sunward side of theEarth, so when it hit, it had passed theperihelion and was traveling outward from theSun. Considering the orbit estimations, the best candidate asparent body is1685 Toro.[1]
Ann later suffered a nervous breakdown, and in 1964 she and Eugene separated. She died in 1972 at 52 of kidney failure at a Sylacaugan nursing home. Eugene suspects the meteorite and frenzy that followed had taken its toll on Ann. He said 'she never did recover,' according to the museum. Ann 'wasn't a person who sought out the limelight,' added museum director Randy Mecredy. 'The Hodges were just simple country people, and I really think that all the attention was her downfall.'