Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science
METEORITE FALLS
DATE/TIME3/17/2026 @ 1256 UTC3/17/2026
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LAT/LONG41.057158 • -81.800047
41.057158
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Update (26 Mar 2026): I had adjusted the strewn field model to accommodate a radar signature southwest of Rittman, OH. It is compelling because it would be caused by a large meteorite (estimated ~84 kg) and features an apparent turbulence signature. Recent finds south of Rittman suggest that the original strewn field was more accurate and that the 84 kg signature may be erroneous, so I am restoring the original strewn field map. This features a curve towards the south and indicates that larger meteorites fell south of Rittman. The site of the potential 84 kg stone may still merit searching.
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This event has been confirmed as a meteorite fall, with many achondrite meteorites recovered. Meteorites from this fall are notable for their flow-form fusion crust, sometimes with frozen droplets of melt on their rims.
This was a morning-time daytime bolide observed across a wide area and with sonic booms reported over the entire Cleveland metropolitan area. The NASA Meteoroid Environment Office (MEO, NASA Marshall SFC) reports the parent asteroid as a ~2m wide, ~7 metric ton body originating in the inner asteroid belt.
The strewn field for this event was originally calculated with the largest meteorites landing south of Rittman OH. The second, currently displayed version was built to accommodate an intriguing radar signature farther southwest along the original strewn field centerline. This signature appears only 26s after the terminus with a calculated mass of ~84kg. The signature is compelling because it includes strong positive/negative velocity values which can indicate turbulence from large passing meteorite(s). There is a signature south of Rittman which is still included in the strewn field, and a large meteorite was found at this location. Other strewn fields calculated for this event place the heaviest meteorites at the location south of Rittman; the strewn field shown here accommodates the ~84kg signature to make it available for searching.
Be mindful of private property and do not trespass while searching for meteorites.
