Meteorite Hunters Search Ohio for Fragments After Fireball Event
Following a significant meteor event over Ohio, enthusiasts are scouring the area for potential meteorite fragments.
On March 17, 2026, a meteoroid approximately 1.8 meters in diameter and weighing around 7 tons entered Earth's atmosphere over Lake Erie at approximately 8:57 a.m. EDT. Traveling at about 64,400 km/h, it disintegrated approximately 48 kilometers above Valley City, Ohio, producing a bright fireball visible across multiple states and parts of Canada.
The event generated a sonic boom that rattled buildings and was heard from Wisconsin to Maryland. NASA confirmed the meteoroid's size and trajectory, noting that the explosion released energy equivalent to 250 tons of TNT.
In the aftermath, meteorite hunters have converged on the region to locate potential fragments. Medina resident December Harris reported that her cousin, Ambra Sinclair, discovered a small black rock near their home, which they suspect to be a meteorite. Describing the find, Harris noted its triangular shape, less than five centimeters in diameter, and "very, very black" appearance with surface pits and a melted texture.
Meteorite collector Roberto Vargas traveled from Connecticut to Ohio, successfully locating two suspected meteorite fragments. He described one as "100 percent fusion crusted," considering it a museum-quality specimen. Vargas and other hunters believe larger pieces may still be undiscovered.
Local resident Gabe Leidy also found a suspected meteorite fragment and has received offers for it but wishes to keep it as a personal memento. Many hunters face difficulties due to private property access but remain hopeful for more discoveries.
The American Meteor Society received over 200 eyewitness reports of the fireball from states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, as well as parts of Canada.