Park Forest

The Park Forest meteorite broke apart during its descent over a residential neighborhood in Illinois in 2003. Several fragments struck homes and a fire station, leaving traces of the cosmic event visible in the community.

The event occurred in March 2003 and was notable because a meteorite fell over a densely populated area. Scientists later collected more than 18 kilograms of fragments, which contributed significantly to understanding meteor composition.

The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago maintains twelve samples of the Park Forest meteorite for scientific study and public education.

The largest recovered sample is on display at a museum in Chicago, where visitors can view it. The best place to learn more about the fall is one of these scientific institutions in the city.

One remarkable aspect is that a fragment pierced through the roof of a house and landed in the kitchen. This rare example of a direct hit on a residential structure gained international attention among meteorite researchers.

Location: Illinois

GPS coordinates: 41.48470,-87.67920

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02