A meteorite crashed through a home in Hillsborough, New Jersey, two years ago. Researchers have now released findings that the meteorite contained preserved pieces of the asteroid it stemmed from, including ‘alien world chemistry’.

What is ‘Alien World Chemistry’?

The term ‘alien world chemistry’ refers to the unique chemical composition of the meteorite, which included salt minerals. Researchers are working to identify the exact composition of these minerals.

The meteorite weighed over two pounds and crashed through the roof of a house in Hillsborough, New Jersey, 48 miles southwest of New York. The homeowner collected pieces of the meteorite while wearing disposable gloves and using aluminum foil to place fragments into glass jars.

Origin of the Meteorite

The meteorite came from a rock that entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of 32,000 mph, causing a sonic boom as it passed the Statue of Liberty. The rock was traveling at a higher speed than the Artemis II crew, which reached an estimated 25,000 mph during reentry.

The discovery of the meteorite and its unique chemistry could bring researchers closer to finding how life originated on Earth. Salt brines that are highly concentrated can create molecules crucial to life on Earth.

Original reporting: Las Cruces Sun News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.