NASA says, it wasn't a Meteorite that killed a man: Is Vellore Meteorite theory fizzling out?

New Delhi, Feb 10: The meteorite theory at Tamil Nadu is gradually fizzling out. Scientists have said that it does not appear to be a meteorite but also added that it is being examined.

One person was killed and three others injured when an object fell on the campus of a private organisation in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

There was total confusion following this incident as some people even reported that they had heard a loud explosion. This led to the suspicion that it could have been a bomb blast.

Later on during inspection a stone like object was found and the same was taken by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru for examination.

Was It a land based explosion:

A report in the New York Times states that the chances of the stone like object being part of a meteorite is unlikely. Lindley Johnson the planetary officer defense officer, NASA states in the report that going by the pictures posted online of the stone like object, it appears to be more of a land based explosion rather than a meteorite fall.

The report also quotes her as saying that while injuries have been reported, death by meteorite impact was so rare that one had never been confirmed in recorded history.

Meanwhile at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, scientists are still examining the object. Unless a final report is out none can tell what exactly this object was. There was no prediction of a meteor shower on that day.

However if it has happened then it is a rare occurrence, the IIA has pointed out.
Meanwhile, the Geological Survey of India has sought a directive that such cases should be reported to them first. The GSI states that in such cases they should be intimated first as they are the nodal agency.

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