On the morning of July 16, 2024, a meteorite struck a home in Hillsborough, New Jersey, capturing the attention of both residents and scientists. At 11:17 a.m., an asteroid was seen hurtling across the sky above New York City. The fireball was accompanied by reports of a sonic boom, with witnesses as far as Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania. However, NASA had predicted that the asteroid, about a foot in diameter, would disintegrate before reaching the ground.

Despite these predictions, a homeowner in Hillsborough experienced a startling event at 11:20 a.m. While working in his home office, the man heard a tremendous crash and felt the house tremble. He described the sensation as though all the kitchen cabinets had collapsed simultaneously. Regaining his composure, he ventured toward the main bedroom. There he discovered a hole in the ceiling right above his bed.

The air was filled with the smell of sulfur, mixed with a fine dust. Black soot coated various surfaces in the room. On his pillow, he found several onyx-colored rocks. Reflecting on the situation, he remarked, ‘Good thing I didn’t sleep in.’

The homeowners opted to remain anonymous, avoiding disclosing their exact address. Nonetheless, their experience contributed valuable insights for scientists investigating the meteorite’s composition. The incident turned into an unexpected boon for scientific research, helping experts understand the nature of this unusual asteroid.