Meteorite Hunters Scour Ohio for Fragments After Dramatic Fireball

Residents report sonic booms and sightings of a 7-ton space rock that crashed into the state this week.

Mar. 20, 2026 at 4:18am

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Meteorite hunters have descended on Ohio after a large meteoroid broke apart over the state on Tuesday, creating a dazzling fireball that was seen from hundreds of miles away. The space rock, estimated to be nearly 6 feet in diameter, caused a sonic boom that rattled buildings and prompted fears of an explosion. Residents have reported finding small black rocks that they suspect are meteorite fragments, and professional collectors have also joined the search, hoping to find larger pieces that could be worth thousands of dollars.

Why it matters

Meteorite falls are relatively rare events, and the Ohio incident provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study the composition and origin of the space rock. The search for fragments also engages the local community and sparks interest in astronomy and planetary science.

The details

The meteoroid broke apart around 9 a.m. Tuesday over Valley City, about 30 minutes south of Cleveland, after speeding through the atmosphere at around 45,000 miles per hour. The fireball was seen from as far away as Wisconsin and Maryland. NASA confirmed the object was a meteoroid nearly 6 feet in diameter. Residents like Medina's December Harris and her cousin Ambra Sinclair have reported finding small, black, pitted rocks that they believe are meteorite fragments. Professional meteorite collector Roberto Vargas drove from Connecticut to join the search, and by Thursday had found two suspected meteorite specimens, including one he described as a "museum-quality" piece.

  • The meteoroid broke apart around 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • Residents reported hearing a sonic boom that rattled buildings on Tuesday morning.

The players

December Harris

A 70-year-old retired business owner from Medina, Ohio, who found a suspected meteorite fragment on her property.

Ambra Sinclair

December Harris' cousin and roommate, who found a small black rock that they believe is a meteorite fragment.

Roberto Vargas

A professional meteorite collector and dealer from Bristol, Connecticut, who drove to Ohio to search for fragments of the space rock.

Gabe Leidy

A 39-year-old supply chain manager from North Ridgeville, Ohio, who found a suspected meteorite fragment after hearing the sonic boom.

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What they’re saying

“To us, me and my cousin, we have a strong faith in God. We're like, 'God just dropped it out of heaven.'”

— December Harris

“It was a massive event — the shock waves, the sonic booms. This is a beauty of a fall.”

— Roberto Vargas, Meteorite collector and dealer

What’s next

Residents and meteorite hunters will continue searching the area for additional fragments, and scientists will work to authenticate any suspected meteorites that are found.

The takeaway

The Ohio meteorite event has sparked excitement and interest in the local community, demonstrating the thrill of scientific discovery and the value of citizen science in studying rare astronomical phenomena.