Weirdseen

 

 This Is The Only Person In History To Be Hit By A  Meteorite!

On November 30, 1954, in Sylacauga, Alabama, Ann Hodges made history in an unexpected and painful way by becoming the only known person to be struck by a meteorite. While napping on her living room couch, a meteorite crashed through her home, leaving her with a large bruise on her left hip. This meteorite was over 4.5 billion years old! Astronomer Michael Reynolds highlighted the rarity of such an event, stating, “You have a better chance of getting hit by a tornado, a bolt of lightning, and a hurricane all at the same time.” This incredible event also led to legal battles over the meteorite's ownership.

The Day the Sky Fell

On the afternoon of November 30, 1954, a meteorite entered Earth’s atmosphere, illuminating the skies over Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Witnesses described seeing a “bright reddish light” and “a fireball, like a gigantic welding arc.” As it descended, the meteorite split in two. One piece struck Ann Hodges, while the other landed a few miles away. The meteorite, later named the Hodges Meteorite, weighed 8.5 pounds and was over 4.5 billion years old. At the moment of impact, Ann was resting with her mother at home. The meteorite pierced the roof, hit a radio console, and then collided with Ann, filling the house with dust and confusion. The police and fire departments quickly arrived, and soon, curious locals and media surrounded the Hodges’ home.

image source: HubPages

Examination of the Meteorite

Officially known as the Sylacauga meteorite, this space rock is a type of chondrite, containing higher levels of iron and nickel than other meteorites. Dating back to the beginnings of the solar system, it represents the primal material from which Earth formed. Cari Corrigan, a research geologist at the Smithsonian, notes, “Ninety-nine percent of meteorites come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter,” underscoring the incredible journey these celestial bodies undertake before reaching Earth.

Image source: Business Insider

Battle To Own The Meteorite

The meteorite's arrival sparked a legal dispute between Ann Hodges and her landlady, Birdie Guy, over its ownership. The matter was settled with Hodges paying $500 to keep the meteorite. Attempts to resell it failed, leading Ann to use it as a doorstop before eventually donating it to the Alabama Museum of Natural History. Public fascination with her story significantly impacted her life, as she appeared in numerous news outlets and even on the cover of ‘Life magazine,’ although the attention exacerbated her health issues.

Image source: This is Alabama / UA News Center

Where Are They Now? Both The Meteorite and Ann

Sadly, Ann Hodges passed away at the age of 52 due to kidney failure in 1972. After her death, the meteorite was given to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Hodges’ unique encounter with the meteorite remains preserved in scientific records and popular culture.

Conclusion

Ann Hodges’ story uniquely intersects natural phenomena, human interest, and sheer randomness, prompting us to reflect on our place in the universe and the unforeseeable nature of life. While meteorites are scientifically fascinating, they also bring tales of wonder and, sometimes, unexpected distress. Hodges’ experience is a reminder of the thin line between ordinary life and extraordinary events.