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Fragments of last week’s meteor explosion are being recovered near Natchez, says NASA

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Meteorite fragment
Meteorite fragment. Photo by Matthew Stream

Fragments of the meteor that caused last weeks boom are being found around Natchez, according to NASA.

Last Wednesday, reports of a loud “boom” heard from Brookhaven, to Port Gibson, to southern Warren County sparked curiosity and speculation among residents. Speculation has ranged from a jet being shot down, to a launch of a Space X rocket in Florida.

MEMA later confirmed the loud sound, as in fact a meteor. Some witnesses stated they saw the meteor streaking through the sky.

“I also SAW a large meteor fall this morning in the southern sky. It was, by far, the largest and brightest I’ve ever seen. That’s the timing, so I’m sure it was the cause of the sound! It actually left a train through the sky for a minute or so,” Regina Jeffers posted on social media. “Definitely impressive but I didn’t hear anything associated with it. Guess it was only heard closer to where it fell!”

NASA Meteor Watch confirmed on social media, fragments from the meteor which was heard across three states are being found in an area east of Natchez.

Meteorite hunters Matthew Stream and Roberto Vargas, have taken up search in the area and have recovered meteorite fragments believed to be from the same meteor which stirred so much conversation and speculation.

Based on data of the meteor’s path, entry and speed, the hunters calculated the area they thought the remains might be found. After a long search of the area, they found numerous fragments on a road near Cranfield, Mississippi, just East of Natchez.

NASA scientists had estimated the meteorite weighed around 90 pounds, was approximately 12 inches across and traveled at about 55,000 mph. The explosion generated was estimated to be the equivalent of three tons of TNT.

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