A meteorite older than Earth crashed into a house in McDonough, Georgia, on June 26, 2024. The rock, now called the McDonough Meteorite, is estimated to be 4.56 billion years old, making it 20 million years older than our planet. Scientists from the University of Georgia are studying it to understand its origin and asteroid group.

BulletsIn

• Crashed into McDonough, Georgia house on June 26
• Estimated age 4.56 billion years, 20 million older than Earth
• Named McDonough Meteorite after Henry County city
• Sounded like close-range gunshot on impact
• Broke through roof, HVAC duct, dented floor
• Homeowner still finds space dust in living room
• Piece weighed 50g; 23g sent to University of Georgia
• Classified as low-metal ordinary chondrite
• Likely from asteroid breakup 470 million years ago
• Traveled at least 1 km/s before slowing in atmosphere