Approaching 50 Years of the Grefsheim Meteorite Fall (Norway)
Saulo Machado
Dear Asteroid Day Community,
We are approaching the 50th anniversary of the Grefsheim meteorite fall in Norway.
Between January 25 and February 1 (exact date uncertain), a meteorite fell into Lake Mjøsa, just over 1 km from the shore of the Nes Peninsula. Fragments of a small stone were recovered from the ice.
Suggested activities:
- Talks, lectures, and discussions:
.From space to the ground: the story of the meteorite fall;
.What has this meteorite revealed about the Solar System?
.Meteorites and planetary defense: what has changed since this meteorite fell?
.Impact simulation: “What if this meteorite had been larger?” Compare it with historical events such as Tunguska and Chelyabinsk;
.Compare and discuss: released energy and affected área;
.Introduce concepts related to NEO monitoring (instruments and projects).
-Videocasts / short videos / podcasts:
.Fall circumstances: date, time, location, eyewitness reports, and curious episodes
.Search and recovery;
.Comparison with other similar events;
.Scientific classification (with examples of similar meteorites);
.Studies carried out over the decade;
.Engagement: invite the public to share their experiences. Where were they on the day of the fall? How did they hear about the event? Use a themed hashtag.
- Exhibitions:
.Meteorite samples;
.Visits to a museum where meteorites are on display;
.Explore, Touch, and Create with 3D Asteroid Models:
Missions to Asteroids Exhibition Posters – Commemorative Versions:
- Hands-on workshop:
.How do we recognize a meteorite?
.Density, magnetism, fusion crust;
.Comparison with terrestrial rocks;
.Simple demonstrations (magnet, weight, texture);
.Visualization of details using a microscope.
- Inclusive activities (for children and people with disabilities):
.Drawing or modeling the meteorite based on the real shape of one of the fragments;
.Painting a “fusion crust”;
.Creating an “imaginary meteorite”;
.Touching a meteorite and perceiving differences and similarities compared to common terrestrial rocks.
- Storytelling:
.The (imaginary) saga of the asteroid from space to its arrival on Earth
- Cultural contest:
.Essay or science fiction short story involving the meteorite;
.Scientific illustration of the meteorite or the observed fireball;
.Astrophotography;
- Additional tips:
.Identify meteorite collectors in your region, especially those who own fragments of this meteorite, and invite them as special guests to your event.
.Are you in a different region? Share interesting facts about this meteorite fall and emphasize that such events can happen anywhere. Research meteorite falls that occurred in your country or region in recent years or over past centuries and compare them with this event.
Organize a special event taking advantage of this anniversary. Register it on our webpage so your event appears on our global map:
https://asteroidday.org/events/event-registration/add
Don’t forget to report it for featuring on our media channels:
https://asteroidday.org/event-organizer-information/report-after-an-asteroid-day-event/
We hope these suggestions serve as a starting point for creative and collaborative initiatives, strengthening connections, expanding outreach, and inspiring new ideas.
Have a great event!
Saulo Machado
Global Event Coordinator
---
References:
Impact simulators:
https://www.asteroidstrike.earth/meteors
https://neal.fun/asteroid-launcher/
https://www.purdue.edu/impactearth/
News, reports, and studies:
https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbull.php?code=11196
https://www.mindat.org/loc-268402.html
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1945-5100.1979.tb00485.x
https://www.nhm.uio.no/kunnskapsunivers/geologi/meteoritter/norske/1976-grefsheim.html
https://snl.no/Grefsheim_-_meteoritt](https://snl.no/Grefsheim_-_meteoritt
