Flocking to find meteorite fragments in Russia

Meteorite collectors are coming to Russia's Chelyabinsk area to search for meteorite fragments after a large object exploded in the sky on February 15.

Flames of meteorites rushed into central Russia yesterday, breaking many glass doors and injuring hundreds. They cause physical damage in Chelyabinsk and at least 6 other cities. According to RIA Novosti, the number of injured people has reached nearly 1,200.

Many meteor collectors around the world are moving to the Chelyabinsk region to search for the fragments of the giant "sky stone" Livescience reported.

Meteorite fragments break a window in the area
Russian Chelyabinsk on February 15. (Photo: RIA Novosti)

"This is the largest meteorite explosion in our lives. It is a rare event for both the scientific community and the meteorite collector. It seems we will have the opportunity to find many fragments." , Michael Farmer, a man from Tucson, Arizona, USA.

Some experts say the meteorite explosion in Russia will stir the global meteorite market. Many people have sold meteorite fragments on eBay. They claim they are fragments of objects plunging into Russian cities on February 15.

Although Russian scientists have not identified the falling rock yesterday, the online photos and videos show it to be a black stone.

"It is a chondrite rock, not iron meteorite , " said Marc Fries, an expert at the Planetary Science Institute in the US.

Alan Rubin, a geology professor at the University of California, says that 70% of meteorites fall on the globe created by chondrites.