Dr. Neeraja Chinchalkar and Rice Science Professor Bidong Zhang Discuss the 2026 Houston Meteorite Fall
In this photo, Rice Faculty Member Bidong Zhang, who is a lunar researcher under a nearly $2.5m grant program funded by NASA, shares his thoughts and information with Dr. Neeraja Chinchalkar.
Chinchalkar is a planetary geologist for the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.
The space scientists are standing outside the home of Sherrie James.
Sherrie's home had a meteorite crash through her roof in a historic event on March 21, 2026.
The meteorite barreled through Earth's atmosphere at a speed of nearly 35,000 mph.
Amazingly, everyone was okay at Sherrie's home, though her family was all inside at the time.
It pierced through the roof and ceiling, and bounced around in a second story bedroom.
Dr. Chinchalkar, Professor Bidong, and NASA scientist Marc Fries attempted to knock on the door and speak with the meteorite owner Sherrie James, but she didn't answer.
Chinchalkar and Bidong then left the crash site to follow along with NASA scientist Marc Fries to nearby locations, to hunt for more space rocks.
Marc Fries with the cowbody hat on, is a NASA scientist who works in Houston's Johnson Space Center.
He is discussing the strewn field with Lunar Scientist Neeraja Chinchalkar and Rice Faculty Bidong Zhang.
The Houston area space scientists were excited about the possibilities of more nearby space rocks, including a local golf course and walking park.
The three hunted most of the day for meteorites and hoped to visit Sherrie's house later.
