Residents of Staffordshire have been urged to keep an eye out for potential meteorite fragments following the sighting of a bright fireball over the Midlands on May 6th. The UK Fireball Alliance (UKFAll) suspects that a meteorite may have landed in the vicinity of Blythe Bridge and Uttoxeter.
Scientists have advised the public to be cautious and refrain from touching any discovered rocks with their bare hands. The UKFAll estimates that the meteorite, weighing around 500g (1.1lbs), landed southeast of Stoke-on-Trent and is likely to be 5-10cm (2-4 inches) wide, black or brown in color, and may have a glassy outer surface.
Despite extensive searches by research teams from various universities in the area, the meteorite remains undiscovered. Dr. Ashley King of the UKFAll expressed hope that someone in the community might stumble upon the rock but emphasized the importance of safety during the search.
Richard Baggaley, chairman of a greenhouse factory in Cresswell, shared his excitement at the prospect of the meteorite landing near his village. Scientists from the University of Glasgow sought permission to survey his land following the event.
Individuals who believe they have found the meteorite have been advised to contact UKFAll or the Natural History Museum. To prevent contamination, it is recommended to handle the rock with aluminum foil or a clean, dry sandwich bag.
The search for meteorite fragments in Staffordshire continues, with the community urged to remain vigilant for any potential discoveries.
