You are resting peacefully in your home, and suddenly a rock coming from space at high speed breaks through the roof and hits you. That is what happened to Ann Hodges, who lives in Alabama, USA, on November 30, 1954. 🤯
She is the only person in recorded history who survived a direct hit by a meteorite.
1. The meteorite, weighing about 3.9 kg (8.5 pounds), was originally an 'Ordinary Chondrite'. According to scientists, it is a piece of rock from the very beginning of the formation of our solar system, that is, several billion years old!
2. When meteorites enter the Earth's atmosphere from space, their speed is more than 40,000 kilometers (25,000 miles) per hour! However, their speed and size are greatly reduced due to the intense friction with the Earth's atmosphere. Without this natural armor of friction, Anne Hodges would have had no chance of surviving.
3. The burning stone pierced the roof and entered the house, first hitting a wooden radio. It bounced off and hit Anne near the waist. As a result, a huge bruise was left on her stomach and waist, which is clearly visible in the picture.
4. After this incident, another drama began. Since it is an extremely rare and valuable scientific artifact from space, whose property is it - Anne Hodges's or her homeowner's? A long legal battle began! 😃