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This is a blog where I will detail radar observations associated with either known meteorite falls or with meteor sightings. In the US alone, there are several hundred prominent meteors witnessed every year, and many of these produce meteorites. Most of those meteorites are never found, and indeed the Meteoritical Society records only about 5-10 new meteorite falls worldwide every year. Freshly fallen meteorites are a tremendous boon to science, as they produce samples from very early in the formation of our Solar System but have not been on Earth long enough to weather significantly. I hope that the information I post here will help meteorite hunters, both “professional” and hobbyist alike, to recover some of those falls that would otherwise simply rust away to nothing.
It turns out that Doppler weather radars are a valuable resource for not only finding meteorites from fresh falls but also for studying the dynamics of the fall itself. In the US, the NEXRAD radar network operated by NOAA provides continuous coverage of most of the US landmass. Any meteorites that fall here have to fall through airspace that is monitored by NEXRAD, and when the conditions are right we can spot them on the way down.
I may post information on large, prominent falls such as Park Forest IL (26 Mar 03), “Ash Creek” (West, TX 15 Feb 09) and others, but the primary goal of this site is to provide information on smaller events. I hope that the information provided here helps people bring meteorites in out of the rain, both for the progress of scientific investigation and also to support the many hobbyist meteorite hunters who revel in the joys of meteorite hunting.
The information presented here does not come with any guarantees and is based on my own interpretation of radar imagery. I do not assume any liability for losses or injury anyone may acquire while using this information. Always ask for permission from the landowner before searching for meteorites. And remember that when you are hunting for meteorites you are a guest in someone else’s home – be courteous and respectful to the locals!
Good luck and good hunting!
Cheers,
Marc Fries
Scientist and meteorite hobbyist
