One Maine Museum Will Pay Big Bucks for A Chunk of that Meteorite

Maine had an actual radar-observed meteor over the weekend.

Folks in Washington County, heard a big giant explosion over the weekend, that was preceded by a massive bright flash in the sky. In fact, people as far away as the Hudson area saw the bright flash in the sky. Upon further inquiry, NASA confirmed that we had indeed seen a meteor breaching the Earth's atmosphere. Unless of course, you think the Earth is flat. But that's a different discussion for another time...

When the meteor burned up as it fell toward the surface, presumably chunks of it scattered about. While I would personally be afraid to go looking for a piece of this space rock, because it seems that's how every sci-fi disaster/horror movie starts, the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel is hoping you might find a piece.

To the point that they're offering a substantial reward...

When we first reported about the incident itself, it was suggested that if folks found a piece and wanted to verify it, they should be in touch with the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. Now, that same museum is offering a $25,000 reward for an actual piece of it. They even give some solid ID tips, according to WABI.

Darryl Pitt, from the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum said this:

It needs to look like it has a fresh crust. The result of burning through the atmosphere because that’s exactly what it’s what it experienced, it’s literally getting toasted as it burns through Earth’s atmosphere.

He also said it will look black and fresh. As water becomes a factor, the piece of meteorite will begin to rust and will start to look like every other rock and become much harder to identify. David also says you can even come by the museum and look at a meteorite to become more familiar with their appearance.

Really, these piece could be anywhere, so you may not be out of luck just because you're not near Washington County. The spread could be dozens of miles wide. It's certainly worth a peek around where you live. I mean, there is $25,000 up for grabs. Good luck to all the searchers!

We can add statewide meteor landings to why we're so big...