A Meteorite Discovery: The Nqweba Mystery

South African scientists have unveiled a fragment of a meteorite discovered in the Eastern Cape province. Named the Nqweba Meteorite, the rare fragment appeared as a bright streak in the sky on August 25, emitting a loud sound. It was discovered by a young girl, Eli-ze du Toit.

South African scientists revealed on Tuesday a fragment from what they believe to be a motorcycle-sized meteorite, discovered last month in the country's Eastern Cape province.

On August 25, residents across the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Free State witnessed a bright blue-white and orange light streak across the sky, accompanied by an explosive sound and vibrations, according to the scientists. The rare meteorite fragment is black and shiny on the outside with a light grey, concrete-like interior, weighing less than 90 grams and measuring under 5 cm in diameter. It has been provisionally named the Nqweba Meteorite, after the town where it was found.

Roger Gibson, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Geosciences, explained that friction with the atmosphere created a spectacular fireball, causing the meteorite to break up during flight. Eli-ze du Toit, a 9-year-old girl, discovered the dark rock while sitting on her grandparents' porch in Nqweba. She picked up the warm rock and handed it to her mother, who then gave it to scientists.

(With inputs from agencies.)