Is This Icy “Mega” Meteorite Really From Outer Space?

Earlier today, Euronews reported an icy “mega meteorite” fall in a farmer’s field in the Hrira region of Morocco. The farmer found the chunk of supposed space ice and put it in his freezer for later investigation by scientists, who apparently confirmed that it is in fact from space.

But… really?

I’m not sure what establishes a meteorite to be “mega” but this is what it’s being called. Personally I’d think that a really mega meteorite would leave a much larger crater than half a meter across and wouldn’t be made of ice, but that’s just this author’s opinion.

In addition, the meteorite reporting site lunarmeteoritehunters.com has posted the story with a “fact or fiction” heading, and includes original news video with additional footage, which shows footage of the “crater” (that seems very un-crater-like) as well as statements from the researchers.

According to Google Translate, expert Dr. Abdul Rahman Said Abhi denies that the chunk of ice is extraterrestrial in origin, and instead was formed in the atmosphere.

Called “megacryometeors”, these ice balls can grow quite large and fall from seemingly clear skies. But don’t let the name fool you — they are most decidedly Earthly. Basically they are just super-sized hailstones (and can sometimes even come from aircraft!)

So remember — just because something falls from the sky doesn’t make it a meteorite… much less a “mega” one.

Source: Euronews.com HT to lunarmeteoritehunters.com.