Cedar Key Boy Captures Meteorite

A ten year old Cedar Key boy experienced the landing of a meteorite and a lesson in physics November 13. Not only did he see where it landed but he immediately took possession of the rare object.

Jeremiah Barnes with the box containing his prized possession.

Fourth grader Jeremiah Barnes noticed a flash of light and heard a "plunk" as he was standing in his yard. When he investigated the new hole in the yard twenty-three feet from where he had been standing, he touched the tip of a very hot prize. He then went into his home and got the help of his fourteen year old sister Angel. She cooled his burned fingers and subsequently hosed down the meteorite. After the meteorite stopped steaming it was carefully excavated from a bed of molten sand. The meteorite is flattened on the bottom and has a cone shaped top.

Jeremiah displaying the once in a life-time find.

Young Barnes brought the meteorite to Cedar Key School Science teacher Richard Whitman the day after the Veterans Day holiday. Whitman observed what appear to be iron and nickel veins in the rock. He reported the details to a University of Florida Astronomy Department faculty member for confirmation of his suspicion that he was looking at a very recent arrival from outer space.

Two days later, Barnes spoke before Mr. Whitman's Astronomy section of Integrated Science which includes Sister Angel. He responded enthusiastically to many questions. He is getting many suggestions about what to do with his find, but is keeping his own opinion to himself. When asked by a reporter what he had learned from the event he replied, "Don't touch something that might be very hot."