A group of scientists just set out on a crazy quest to find a meteorite. This meteorite fell to Earth over Dunnolly in central Victoria on the evening of August 10. More specifically, lead scientist Dr. Rachel Kirby had the good fortune of bringing together these five rock-star scientists. Among them were Monash University undergraduate students Arnika Filippi and Amelia Phillips. The goal of this search was to shed light on the universe’s earliest moments. It sought to answer fundamental questions about how the solar system formed.
The paddock search across lands around Dunolly was where the team took the high-tech approach, including deployment of 50 fully autonomous digital observatories. Together, these observatories spanned a remarkable 3 million square kilometers of the night sky. In doing so, they collected key data that made it possible to find the meteorite. While the main goal of the team was to recover the meteorite, all were encouraged by what they discovered meteorically.
The Search Effort
The Backbone vision that Dr. Rachel Kirby, who spearheaded the effort, was a real visionary. She understood that finding the meteorite could deeply influence science and research.
“We’ve been able to back-calculate the orbit, and we know it came from about the inner asteroid belt. So we’re already getting information about where it might have come from,” said Dr. Kirby.
This knowledge is critical, as it could provide answers to questions about how Earth and life on it first formed. “Without meteorites, we wouldn’t be able to answer the most fundamental questions about how we got here, why we exist.
“This can give us an understanding of questions like how life began, how the Earth was formed. These meteorites are really the key to understanding those questions,” she added.
The interdisciplinary search team included Joshua De Almeida, who remarked on the spirit of cooperation among the various groups involved in the effort. Commenting on the ongoing collaboration task, he added, “It’s not just the thousands of people, it’s the million people, the multi-millions.” The quest will go on.
Student Involvement
Undergraduate students Arnika Filippi and Amelia Phillips were key components of the field hunt. Both are excited about being part of such a hands-on scientific venture.
“Learning out in the field is so much better. It’s so much easier; you really get that in-field experience,” said Ms. Filippi.
Ms. Phillips expressed her enthusiasm for the possibility of discovering meteorites, saying, “They’re space rocks that’s so cool!” The experience not only deepened their understanding of astronomy but provided them with practical skills that textbooks cannot offer.
Mr. De Almeida expressed similar ideas. He remarked, “You can read about this stuff in a book, but to actually find it in the field, it really gives me a deeper appreciation for the systems that have gotten us to this point.”
Reflections on the Search
Even though they didn’t find the meteorite on this expedition, Dr. Kirby and her team are looking forward to more searches in the future.
Personally, I’m more bummed that we didn’t discover it,” she added. She’s as determined as ever to pick up the slack and make sure they’re still supported. Apart from daily outreach, the search was an educational experience for both students and the scientific community, creating a more meaningful bond between students and the science world.
The possible discoveries tied to such meteorites are huge. And Dr. Kirby hopes that if they are able to locate the meteorite, its secrets could provide answers that have long frustrated researchers.
“They hold the secrets to the universe. If we found them, we’d be over the moon,” said Ms. Phillips.
This kind of dedication, like that shown by Dr. Kirby and her team, is a testament to the power of cooperation in scientific discovery. Each member applied their technical expertise and creative passion in service to a shared mission.
