The Wold Cottage Meteorite
The meteorite that fell in the Wolds and is known as the falling stone or the Wold Cottage Meteorite.
HISTORYFEATURED
Upon impact, the meteorite created a small crater approximately 1 yard (0.91 m) across and embedded itself in the underlying chalk rock to a depth of 7 inches (180 mm), passing through 12 inches (300 mm) of topsoil.
The event sparked curiosity among the local population, leading to further investigations, scientific interest and the first serious investigation into the origins of meteorites. Early theories were that these falling stones were thrown into the air by the Earth's volcanic activity, ejected from volcanoes on the moon or formed in the Earth's atmosphere. The overiding consensus of the time was that these stones did not fall from space. However, Topham helped counter this view with the witness statements that he collected.
Scientific Discoveries and Insights
The Wold Cottage meteorite is classified as an L6 ordinary chondrite, a type of meteorite that contains both silicates and metallic minerals. This classification places it among the most common type of meteorites found on Earth. It ranks as the largest meteorite observed to fall in Britain and the second-largest recorded in Europe (surpassed only by the Ensisheim meteorite).
Scientists were particularly intrigued by the Wold Cottage meteorite due to its pristine condition, as it had not undergone significant weathering or alteration since its fall. This made it an invaluable specimen for studying the composition and origins of meteorites.
Through meticulous analysis, researchers discovered that the Wold Cottage meteorite contains a diverse range of minerals, including olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase. These minerals provide insights into the processes that occurred during the formation of our solar system.
Furthermore, isotopic studies conducted on the meteorite's samples revealed valuable information about the age of the solar system. By measuring the ratios of certain isotopes, scientists were able to estimate that the Wold Cottage meteorite formed approximately 4.56 billion years ago, around the same time as other meteorites found on Earth.
Additionally, the study of the meteorite contributed to our understanding of the early solar system's dynamics. The presence of shock-induced features within the meteorite indicated that it had experienced significant impact events during its journey through space.
The Current Location of the Wold Cottage Meteorite
After its discovery, the Wold Cottage meteorite fragments were dispersed among various collectors and institutions. Today, one of the largest fragments is proudly displayed at the Natural History Museum in London, where it continues to captivate visitors with its extraterrestrial origins.
It is worth noting that while the Wold Cottage meteorite is a significant scientific specimen, it is not the only meteorite to have fallen in the United Kingdom. Over the years, several other meteorites have been discovered across the country, each with its own unique story to tell.
The Falling Stone
Despite frequent reports placing them in Wold Newton, both Wold Cottage and the monument to the meteorite are situated within the parish of Thwing & Octon. However, it remains accurate that Wold Newton village is in close proximity. Notably, the now-defunct pub on Main Street in Thwing bore the name “The Falling Stone”, a nod to the Wold Cottage meteorite.
NB The monument is on private land. Should you wish to visit it, you must first get permission from the owners of Wold Cottage.
The Wold Cottage meteorite (pictured above) is a remarkable celestial object that made its way to the East Riding of Yorkshire, captivating scientists and locals alike. In this article, we will delve into the intriguing story of this meteorite, exploring where and when it fell, what was learned from its discovery, and where it is currently located.
The Fall of the Wold Cottage Meteorite
The Wold Cottage meteorite descended upon the picturesque landscape of the East Riding of Yorkshire on December 13, 1795. Witnesses reported a bright fireball streaking across the sky, followed by a loud explosion. It landed within a few yards of ploughman (or possibly shepherd) John Shipley. The impact site is located on the estate of Wold Cottage near Wold Newton, hence the name of the meteorite.
Wold Cottage was, at the time, home to a magistrate named Major Edward Topham. The major was a soldier, journalist, author, critic, playwright, caricature engraver and a dandy well known and respected in London’s fashionable circles due to his unique style of dress and elegant manners. It was Topham that publicised the meteorite by putting it on display in London where he charged a fee of one shilling to view it. Then in 1799 he built a brick monument to mark the spot that was the meteorite's point of impact.
The Wold Cottage Meteorite Chemical Engineer, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Portrait of Edward Topham (1751–1820) and the monument he erected to mark the spot where the meteorite landed in 1795.
The inscription on the monument reads:
On this spot, Dec 13th, 1795
fell from the Atmosphere
AN EXTRAORDINARY STONE
In Breadth 28 inches
In Length 30 inches
and whose Weight was 56 Pounds.
_______________________
THIS COLUMN
in memory of it
was erected by
EDWARD TOPHAM
1799