EXPERTS believe a meteorite fell on Dorset following the sonic boom which rocked the region last month.

As reported a sonic boom shook Dorset and the south west just before 3pm on Saturday, March 20 - leading to widespread speculation about the cause.

After the RAF denied it was caused by jets, there was then growing evidence to suggest it was caused by a meteor fireball 'bolide'.

Now renowned astronomer Dr John Mason is appealing for information from Dorset residents as he believes a meteorite fell to Earth that day - possibly on an area of eastern Dorset – after it exploded, causing the boom.

Physicist Dr Mason, past President of the British Astronomical Association and friend of the late Sir Patrick Moore, is conducting an investigation and is gathering information.

He would particularly like to hear from anyone who:

1) Saw the brilliant flash of the explosion through thin cloud or picked it up on their security camera. The flash would have been at 2.53pm, about two minutes before the sonic boom was heard (some eyewitnesses thought at first it was a lightning flash).

2) Have CCTV security cameras or doorbell cameras with microphones on them as these may have recorded the sonic boom.

To help his investigation Dr Mason has contacted is old amateur astronomer friend, Geoff Kirby of Weymouth, to help spread the word.

Mr Kirby said: "John thinks the meteorite went from west to east going over Dorchester and came down somewhere in eastern Dorset, east of Bere Regis, or possibly even western Hampshire. There may be rock fragments on someone's property.

"It if went down in a forest then we don't have a hope in finding it but there's a chance someone may across some small lumps in their garden.

"There was a similar event last month when scientists were pretty spot on about the location a meteorite fell in Gloucestershire."

Mr Kirby added: "I've been interested in astronomy for many years now. John is an old friend and he's very well known in astronomy circles. He's in charge of trying to track down this meteorite and he would appreciate any help you can give him."

If you have any information that could help the investigation email Dr John Mason at meteor@britastro.org

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