Following NASA’s recent observation on the mysterious object that fell from the sky in Vellore, Trichy lab reports confirm it to be a meteorite.
On the other hand, geological experts have found one more piece of the object from the roof of the Bharathidasan Engineering College.
In a report by National College Instrumentation Facility (NCIF) in Trichy, a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) study on samples showed the “presence of carbonaceous chondrites”.
According to TNIE, experts said that the object had all the characteristics of a meteorite. They added, “Chemical analysis should be conducted to confirm this.”
NASA had said that the object might not be a meteorite and the cause of explosion might be a land-based material.
The college Principal G Baskar had given a 61-gram object to the experts. The object was found on the terrace of the three-storied administrative block of the college by construction workers.
Talking about NASA’s observation, S Raju, Deputy Director General of Geological Survey of India told TNIE, “Without visiting the spot and analysing the samples, one cannot say what it is.”
Moreover, the object had “magnetic and carbon properties” that are characteristics of a meteorite. The object looks like an iron meteorite, said S Raju.
The samples will be taken to Chennai after taking permission from the district administration and police. The experts said that the samples will be further sent to their head office in Kolkata.
An Electron Microprobe Phase Analysis (EMPA) will be carried out to study all the elements in the object and a chemical analysis will be conducted to find out if the object is a meteorite or not. It will take about four to five days, according to TNIE.
Two objects fell on January 26 and February 6 at the Bethavepampattu and the Bharathidasan Engineering College campuses respectively, that have triggered off curiosity among geologists and astronomers.
“The Geological Survey of India is the only agency in the country to collect and analyse meteorites. So far, they have collected about 700 meteorites and preserved them in their head-office”, S Raju told TNIE.