Meteorite Mistaken for Crashing Plane

Two reports lead to search and rescue mission off England's coast
By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 24, 2011 5:43 AM CDT
Meteorite Mistaken for Crashing Plane
A file photo of a Geminid meteor exploding over the Mojave Desert in 2009. A meteor storm over the Earth last weekend caused several people to mistake meteorites for crashing aircraft.   (AP Photo/AstroPics.com, Wally Pacholka)

A meteorite that fell into the sea off the coast of England Friday was mistaken for a crashing plane by several people, including a fisherman and a pilot, reports the Telegraph. Their reports resulted in emergency services being sent to investigate, but when no wreckage could be found and there were no reports of missing aircraft by air traffic controllers, rescue services determined it was just a meteorite. Last weekend the Earth passed through the dust cloud of a comet, causing hundreds of meteors to light up the sky. (More meteor stories.)

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