TARBES 2009, FALLING OBJECT IDENTIFIED AS MINERAL

Summary

On June 3, 2009, a witness in Tarbes (France) observed an object falling from the sky, hitting a pine tree, and rolling on the ground. The object measured 4.5 x 7.5 centimeters and weighed about 300 grams. The witness assumed it might be a meteorite fragment. However, after analysis by a mineralogy expert, it was confirmed to be hematite, a common iron ore, and not a celestial object. No impact traces were found at the reported location, and there were no other witnesses of the event, leaving the nature of the incident unclear.