**Groundbreaking Video Records Meteor Hitting Earth at 37,000 mph**
In a remarkable occurrence that has fascinated both scientists and the general public, a meteor impact was captured on video for the very first time, complete with audio of its explosive collision. This pioneering footage, filmed by a door camera belonging to a Canadian homeowner, provides a rare window into a phenomenon that happens every day yet is rarely seen so vividly.
### A Close Encounter with the Universe
This astonishing event occurred in July in Marshfield, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Joe Velaidum, the owner of the home, narrowly averted becoming the second individual in documented history to be struck by a meteorite. Just moments before the meteor’s blazing descent, Velaidum had stepped outside his residence to retrieve a dog leash from the grass. This seemingly trivial act may have been pivotal in preserving his life.
“If I had lingered there a minute longer, I’d have been struck,” Velaidum shared in an interview with *Compass Media*. The meteor, racing at a breathtaking speed of 60,000 kilometers per hour (37,282 mph), hit the very spot where he had just been standing.
### Capturing the Unthinkable
After returning from his outdoor excursion, Velaidum spotted unusual dark debris strewn across the ground. Curious, he checked the footage from his door camera and was astonished to find that the meteor’s descent and impact had been captured. The video, which has since been shared on YouTube, marks a historic milestone: the simultaneous recording of a meteor strike on both video and audio.
The footage depicts the meteor’s blazing trajectory as it streaks through Earth’s atmosphere, culminating in a spectacular explosion upon impact. The accompanying audio captures the thunderous sound of the collision, offering an unmatched sensory encounter with a meteor strike.
### Scientific Importance
Velaidum gathered samples of the debris, which were subsequently analyzed by experts at the University of Alberta. The material was classified as chondrite, a category of stony meteorite that dates back to the early Solar System. This finding highlights the extraordinary journey of the meteor, traveling millions of miles before arriving at Earth.
While Earth is constantly bombarded with meteoritic material, most of it disintegrates in the atmosphere, making such events seldom visible. The video and audio documentation of this meteor strike provide critical data for scientists investigating these celestial occurrences.
### A Glimpse into the Cosmos
This exceptional event acts as a reminder of Earth’s ongoing interaction with the cosmos. Meteors, often called “shooting stars,” are remnants of asteroids or comets entering Earth’s atmosphere at high velocities. Although the majority disintegrate before touching down, those that do survive the trip present unique opportunities for scientific exploration.
The footage captured by Velaidum’s door camera not only offers an uncommon visual and auditory record of a meteor strike but also showcases the potential of everyday technology to aid scientific research. As door cameras and similar recording devices grow more prevalent, they may increasingly play a role in documenting rare and significant occurrences.
### A Moment of Wonder and Contemplation
For Joe Velaidum, this experience was both humbling and awe-inspiring. “It’s astonishing to consider that something so ancient and distant could end up in my backyard,” he remarked. His story exemplifies the unpredictable and marvelous nature of our universe.
As scientists continue to study the footage and debris, this unprecedented documentation of a meteor strike will surely enhance our comprehension of these celestial visitors and their effects on our planet. For the moment, it stands as a compelling reminder of the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the cosmos—and our place within it.