On October 9, 1992, an incredibly rare event took place in Peekskill, New York, when a meteorite crashed into a parked car. The meteorite, traveling at an incredible 25,000 miles per hour, lit up the night sky before striking a 1980 red Chevy Malibu owned by teenager Michelle Knapp. This extraordinary incident was witnessed by thousands of people and became one of the most well-documented meteorite cases in history.
The Peekskill Meteorite, as it became known, was a 4.4 billion-year-old rock the size of a bowling ball. Its fiery descent was captured on video by various people along the East Coast of the United States, providing valuable evidence for researchers interested in the study of meteorites. Remarkably, the meteorite’s impact left the Chevy Malibu with a pierced trunk and dented driveway, but the car retained its structural integrity and soon gained fame as the Peekskill Meteorite Car.
The Peekskill Meteorite
During its descent, the meteorite rocked the area with a thunderous crash, which some described as sounding like a three-car collision. The space rock, weighing 26 pounds and approximately the size of a bowling ball, came to rest after causing considerable damage to an unexpected target: a parked red 1980 Chevrolet Malibu owned by 17-year-old Michelle Knapp.
The impact of the meteorite was so forceful that it smashed through the trunk of the Chevy Malibu, narrowly missing the gas tank, and even created an impact pit in the driveway beneath the car. The Peekskill meteorite, as it came to be known, garnered attention from around the world.
Since the event, the Peekskill Meteorite Car has been exhibited at various trade fairs, museums, and other events throughout the globe. One notable appearance was at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where visitors could witness firsthand the incredible story of the meteorite’s journey and its collision with the red Chevrolet Malibu.
And the meteorites fame has only grown due to the meteorite’s composition of dense rock and the fact that its descent was captured on video by 16 independent sources.
The Car
The Meteorite
The Peekskill meteorite is among the most historic meteorite events on record, with sixteen separate video recordings documenting its descent through Earth’s atmosphere in October 1992. This unique event provided valuable data for scientists studying meteorites, as it offered a rare and well-documented example of a meteorite’s passage from space to its impact site.
Upon striking a parked car in Peekskill, New York, the meteorite was quickly recovered, allowing for detailed analysis of its composition and structure. Classified as an H6 monomict breccia, the Peekskill meteorite’s filigreed texture results from the shocking and heating events that followed its impact. Data collected from this meteorite have contributed to a greater understanding of the processes that occur during a meteorite’s entry and collision with Earth’s surface.
Furthermore, the widespread observation of the Peekskill meteorite’s descent provided a unique opportunity to study the dynamics of meteorite flight, as multiple video recordings allowed for the accurate reconstruction of its trajectory. This information has been invaluable in the field of meteoritics, helping researchers refine their understanding of meteorite behavior and movements, both in space and as they interact with Earth’s atmosphere.
Watch Recordings of The Peekskill Meteorite Falling Through The Sky
Where’s The Car Now?
The Peekskill Meteorite Car, a 1980 red Chevy Malibu, has gained international fame after being struck by a meteorite on October 9, 1992. Since then, it has been displayed in various museums and trade fairs around the world, captivating audiences with its unique story and significant damage.
One of the most notable appearances of the car was at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The exhibit showcased the car alongside the meteorite that struck it, providing an educational and engaging experience for visitors.
On special anniversaries of the meteorite impact, such as the 30-year mark, the car has often been brought out for public viewing to commemorate the unusual event. As a result, the Peekskill Meteorite Car continues to hold a place in meteorite history and pop culture as an extraordinary example of a cosmic collision.
However, the car’s current location may not be publicly available, as it is likely in private possession. This is because, shortly after the incident, the owner sold the damaged car for $10,000 and the meteorite for $50,000 to three collectors. While it is occasionally displayed at events and exhibits, it primarily remains in the hands of the collectors who purchased it.
