A meteor exploded spectacularly above Győr: valuable fragments weighing up to 0.5 kg could lie nearby
According to the Hungarian Meteorite Society, we might have a chance to find meteorite pieces in our territory for the first time in over 80 years. Their post suggests that some fragments near Győr could weigh more than half a kilogram—a substantial size by meteorite standards.
In the early hours of November 15, a brilliant fireball streaked across the skies of Hungary and Austria, although we barely noticed it at all. The cloudy sky hid the enormous explosion and glowing trail, which the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Astronomical Institute calculates could have stretched as long as 103 kilometres.
A meteorite hunt begins around Győr
The institute estimates the meteorite weighed about 17 kilograms before entering the atmosphere and travelled at roughly 20 kilometres per second—80 times faster than a commercial airliner. It broke apart in the stratosphere, 23.8 kilometres above ground. Some fragments, based on astronomical models, may have landed around Győr. The impact area is known and was also calculated by Czech astronomers. They are currently refining the map, including factoring in high-altitude wind effects.
- Hungarian astronomer first to spot a meteoroid entering Earth’s atmosphere
Although the muddy ground and impending snowfall make searching tricky, the Hungarian Meteorite Society is doing everything possible to track down some fragments. They urge enthusiastic volunteers to coordinate with landowners before searching the area and strongly advise against using artificial intelligence to identify the rocks. Instead, finders should contact experts directly.
The last meteorite to fall on Hungarian soil landed in May 1944 near Mike in Somogy county, which is where it got its name.
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