Meteorite-like element likely found in ‘burning stone’

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) here is planning to send the stone believed to be a meteorite to the National Museum for further assessment and test.

This, after a team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) in Western Visayas arrived at the school last Monday to examine the stone.

NOHS principal Mario Amaca said yesterday that upon the initial examination of the team, the stone was likely to have a metal component that is present in a meteorite.

However, Amaca said it is still not conclusive.

The team recommended to Amaca to send the stone to the National Museum for further test, as they do not have the tools to conduct a more intensive examination.

“Sila (National Museum) abi may laboratory gid that can have the confirmatory test, we’re not in the authority to confirm any specifications of that kind,” he added.

Amaca revealed last week that a “burning stone” believed to be a meteorite fell into the school grounds, hitting the barracks on June 4, as witnessed by the wife of the school guard.

The blast was similar to an explosion of a power transformer, according to Amaca. But no significant damage or injuries were reported.

Amaca said the stone is currently being kept in a safe place, as it may attract the people’s interest.