UA Museum’s Science Sunday Features Hodges Meteorite, Explores Earth’s Formation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — On Nov. 30, 1954, Sylacauga resident Ann Hodges was struck by a meteorite while napping on her couch. This incident, known as the Hodges Meteorite event, was the first authenticated case of a person being struck by an object from space.

Recognizing the event’s importance, Hodges donated the meteorite in 1956 to the Alabama Museum of Natural History on The University of Alabama’s campus. Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Hodges Meteorite event, the museum has created a special exhibit case featuring artifacts from that event.

“This artifact represents a wonderful and unique instance of Alabama history,” said Allie Sorlie, musuem education outreach coordinator.

The exhibit is now available for viewing and will be up throughout the Thanksgiving holiday. There will also be a special guest speaker who will help share the story of the Hodges event during the Museum’s Science Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 23.

Also part of Science Sunday, “Earth, the Early Years” will allow museum visitors an opportunity to explore the Earth’s formation and delve deeper into the abundance and diversity of life found on Earth.

UA paleontologists, astronomers, geologists and biologists will offer science experiments and demonstrations; there will also be crafts and activities for children in the museum’s Discovery Lab.

Science Sunday is free and open to the public.

UA’s Alabama Museum of Natural History is in Smith Hall near the Quad at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Capstone Drive on The University of Alabama campus.