Two fragments of a meteorite, which are believed to have caused a large fireball over the Kanto region in the early hours of July 2, were found in Narashino, Chiba Prefecture, the National Museum of Nature and Science announced on Monday.
The size of one fragment is 4.5 centimeters in length and weighs 63 grams; and the other is 5 centimeters and 70 grams. The fragments are believed to have originally been a single meteorite as the pieces interlock with each other.
One fragment was found by a woman in Narashino on the morning of July 2, according to the museum. She found it in the hallway in front of the entrance to her apartment on the second floor. She immediately thought it was a part of a meteorite as the large fireball, some type of shoting star, were seen at dawn on the day. She and other residents tried to find another piece in the courtyard of the apartment complex and was successful on July 4.
The museum analyzed their find and concluded that the fragments were from the recently fallen meteorite, based on the characteristics of the radioactive material.
As the sound of an explosion was heard along with the appearance of a large fireball, some experts suggest that several other meteorites may be scattered over a wide area.
This is the 53rd meteorite found in Japan and the first since the Komaki meteorite was discovered in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, in 2018. The museum plans to apply to register the meteorite as the "Narashino meteorite" with The Meteoritical Society.
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