Collaborative effort uncovers rare meteorite in the Eastern Cape

A significant meteorite that fell in the Eastern Cape last month has sparked a collaborative scientific investigation involving several leading universities.

The event, witnessed by residents from different locations, has led to the recovery of a rare meteorite fragment, provisionally named the “Nqweba Meteorite” after the nearby town of its discovery.

On 25 August 2024, residents from Garden Route, the Karoo, and provinces of the Western Cape and Free State observed a bright blue-white and orange streak of light in the sky. 

“The meteorite, after splitting into several smaller fragments, disappeared. Shortly after, witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and sensing vibrations,” a statement by the universities read.

Namely these institutions are: Rhodes University, Nelson Mandela University and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Little did they know that nine-year-old Eli-zé du Toit, while sitting on her grandparents’ porch in Nqweba formerly known as Kirkwood, would see a dark rock fall from the sky before landing near a Wild Fig tree in the garden. 

She recalled that the rock – black and shiny on the outside with a light grey, concrete-like interior – was still warm when she picked it up.

The probe into the meteorite has since involved a coordinated effort between scientists from the three institutions.

The researchers have been working around the clock to establish various facts about the meteorite, including the probable origin, size and trajectory, and speed as it entered the Earth’s atmosphere as well as the possible fall area. 

Dr Carla Dodd from Nelson Mandela University, immediately secured the sample collected by the youngster when the news broke, recognising the rarity and importance of such a find.

Meanwhile, Rhodes University’s Dr Deon van Niekerk obtained a permit from the Eastern Cape Provincial Heritage Resources Authority to recover all fragments from this meteor for scientific analysis.

According to Wits University’s Professor Roger Gibson, the response time was critical if they were going to collect valuable scientific data and meteorite fragments. 

He believes this was also crucial to explain to the local public that this was a natural event and how the individual parts linked together.

“Events such as these are incredible and are very exciting, both for the public who witness these falls and the scientists who gain invaluable information from studying the bolides and rocks,” said Gibson’s colleague, Dr Leonidas Vonopartis. 

Nqweba Meteorite

The Nqweba Meteorite is believed to be an achondritic meteorite, specifically a rare type within the Howardite-Eucrite-Diogenite (HED) group. 

It weighs less than 90g and has a pre-fragmentation diameter of less than 5cm.

According to scientists, the specimens have a dark black glassy coating with a light grey interior, peppered with dark green and light green grains and clasts. 

“Such meteorites provide valuable insights into the inner workings of other planetary bodies, offering scientists a glimpse into processes like those that formed Earth’s rocks.” 

Collaborative effort

“We are grateful that Eli-zé’s family immediately thought to contact us at Mandela University’s Geosciences Department upon making this rare find, effectively setting off this collaborative effort to study the meteorite and preserve it as part of the Eastern Cape heritage,” Dodd stated. 

Meanwhile, Van Niekerk is of the view that it was fitting for Rhodes University, being in the Eastern Cape, to be involved in science regarding such a historic heritage event that’s already touched the lives of so many eyewitnesses in the province. 

The initial scientific focus will involve microscopic and geochemical analysis of the recovered meteorite fragment to fully classify it and understand its origin. 

This investigation could provide insights into the meteorite’s source region in space and possibly identify its parent body. 

“The discovery of the Nqweba Meteorite represents a significant opportunity for South African scientists to study a rare and valuable specimen from space, advancing our understanding of meteorites and their role in the broader context of planetary science.” – SAnews.gov.za