Rare carbonaceous meteorite that struck New Jersey home yields clues about early solar system water
A kilogram-size CM-type carbonaceous chondrite that fell in Hillsborough, New Jersey in July 2024 was recovered with minimal contamination, allowing scientists to detect extraterrestrial amino acids and brine, offering new insight into early solar system chemistry.
A fireball observed across the Mid-Atlantic on July 16, 2024 produced a sonic boom and broke apart about 35 kilometres above the ground. One fragment pierced the ceiling of a master bedroom in Hillsborough, New Jersey, where the homeowners collected the black material with gloves, foil and glass jars. The fragment, weighing just over one kilogram, was later identified as a CM-type carbonaceous chondrite, classified as a CM½ intermediate between the two known subclasses.
The meteorite, the second CM½ ever observed falling to Earth and the first studied in a pristine condition, contains hydrated minerals, high levels of sodium from ancient brines, and a complex suite of amino acids. Co-author Dr. Danny Glavin noted that most of the detected amino acids are rare or absent on Earth, indicating an extraterrestrial origin. The sample’s composition is being compared with material returned from asteroids Bennu and Ryugu.
Researchers suggest the rock originated from a larger asteroid in the inner belt that experienced a collision about six million years ago, with a subsequent breakup roughly 200,000 years ago before its eventual impact on Earth. The presence of brine and organic compounds supports theories that primitive meteorites delivered essential ingredients for life to the early Earth.
The homeowners, who remained anonymous, were guided by American Meteor Society co-author Mike Hankey on how to preserve the fragment and limit contamination. Fragments are now curated at the American Museum of Natural History, and the study was published in Science Advances.