Ann Hodges made history as the first person ever struck by a meteorite while sleeping, creating a remarkable cosmic tale.
In a remarkable story, Ann Hodges made history as the only person known to have been struck by a meteorite while sleeping.
The likelihood of someone being struck by a meteorite is incredibly low.
It estimates ranging from about one in 700,000 to as rare as one in 100 trillion.
Interestingly, she still survived the unexpected incident and narrated the whole story.
This unusual event took place on November 30, 1954, in Oak Grove, Alabama, and it has fascinated many ever since.
A woman was hit by a grapefruit-sized meteorite
On that fateful afternoon, Ann Hodges was taking a nap on her living room couch.
Suddenly, a fireball streaked across the sky, visible from several states in the U.S.
As Hodges slept, a grapefruit-sized meteorite weighing 8.5 pounds crashed through the roof of her house.
Instead of hitting her directly, it first struck her radio console before landing on her hip.
The impact caused a large bruise but miraculously did not result in fatal injuries.
Hodge’s mother, who was in another room, rushed to her aid after hearing her scream.
Confused and frightened, they discovered the large rock that had caused the commotion.
She became the only person in history struck by meteorite and survived.
This incident is the only recorded case of a person being hit by a meteorite and surviving.
Scientists were intrigued by the event, and the meteorite was eventually studied to better understand its composition and origin.
Authorities arrived promptly to investigate the scene.
They found a significant hole in the ceiling, evidence of the meteorite’s entrance.
News of the incident spread rapidly, and soon, people were flocking to Hodges’s home to see the site of this extraordinary event.
Although Hodges was not hospitalized for her injuries, she was understandably shaken by the entire experience.
Mary Beth Prondzinski, a collections manager at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, explained how this event was both alarming and unique.
She noted that Hodges was under a blanket when the meteorite struck, which likely helped lessen the impact.
The story became a topic of interest not just locally but also nationwide.
Hodge received $500 after the accident
Initially, the meteorite was taken by the Sylacauga police chief, who later handed it over to the U.S. Air Force for examination.
Rumors were suggesting the object might be an alien spacecraft.
However, scientists quickly confirmed it was a stony meteorite from the 1685 Toro asteroid.
The ownership of the meteorite became a legal matter between Hodges and her landlord, Birdie Guy.
Guy claimed that since the meteorite landed on her property, it belonged to her.
After some negotiation, they reached a settlement where Hodges received $500 for the meteorite and repairs to her roof.
Hodges found herself thrust into the spotlight after the accident
She became a local celebrity, and many wanted to hear her story.
She participated in photo shoots and appeared on television shows, including a notable one where a panel had to guess what had happened to her.
Despite the initial excitement, Hodges eventually grew tired of the constant attention.
By 1956, weary of the fame, she donated the meteorite to the Alabama Museum of Natural History.
This decision allowed her to step back from the public eye while ensuring the meteorite was preserved for future generations.
She passed away in 1972 at the age of 52 due to kidney failure.