Local Man Witnesses Meteor Strike in Omaha Backyard

Local Man Witnesses Meteor Strike in Omaha BackyardLocal Man Witnesses Meteor Strike in Omaha Backyard Omaha, Nebraska – A local Omaha man was left in awe after witnessing a meteor strike in his own backyard on Sunday evening. Bob Johnson, a 62-year-old retired engineer, was enjoying a quiet night at home when he heard a loud explosion and saw a bright flash of light outside his window. “I thought a plane had crashed,” he said. “It was so loud, I felt it shake the house.” Rushing outside, Johnson was shocked to discover a large crater in his backyard, measuring approximately 10 feet wide and 5 feet deep. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” he said. “I knew it had to be a meteor.” Witnesses from neighboring houses reported seeing a streak of light in the sky followed by a loud boom. “It was like something out of a movie,” said one neighbor, Jessica Williams. “We felt the ground shake and then we saw this huge hole in our backyard.” Experts from the American Meteor Society have confirmed that the object that struck Johnson’s yard was a meteorite, a piece of extraterrestrial debris that survived its passage through the Earth’s atmosphere. The meteorite is believed to be approximately 100 pounds in weight and made up of rocky material. “This is an incredibly rare occurrence,” said Dr. Emily Reid, an astronomer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Meteorites typically burn up in the atmosphere before reaching the ground. The fact that this one survived is a testament to its size and composition.” Johnson said he plans to keep the crater in his backyard as a reminder of the extraordinary event he witnessed. “It’s like having a piece of the universe in my own backyard,” he said. “I’m so grateful I got to experience this.” Officials have advised residents to be cautious and report any suspected meteorites to the American Meteor Society.