Britain's biggest meteorite discovered after 80 years lying on doorstep
Tests have shown the 90kg (200lb) rock, which is 49cm (1ft 7in) in length, fell to Earth 30,000 years ago.
The meteorite, which lay outside a house in Wiltshire until 1991, was taken to be examined by experts when the homeowners decided to sell the property.
Planetary science professor Colin Pillinger believes that the meteorite must have landed near a glacier which helped keep the space rock intact for such a long period.
'It's very unusual to find a meteorite this big in Britain,' he said.
'They are very unstable, they contain a lot of metallic iron which oxidises and the meteorite falls to pieces.
'So the only logical explanation of how such a big meteorite may have survived being on Earth for 30,000 years is that it fell on or near a glacier and was in a deep freeze for 20,000 years.'
The giant rock was then picked up and moved by druids looking for interesting artefacts on Salisbury Plain according to the professor who said he was '99.9 per cent' sure the meteorite fell in Britain.
It is currently on display at the Royal Society in London as part of the Objects in Space exhibition until March 31. - metro
**********
First-time angler catches record-breaking fish in English Channel
Sea dogs might find it fishy but this beast was a case of beginners’ luck.
Angler Chris Proctor has broken the record for the biggest cod caught in the English Channel – on his first sea fishing trip.
The 31-year-old’s 19.75kg (43lb 9oz) catch was so large he thought his hook was caught on a shipwreck, until his reel began spinning.
An epic 30 minute battle ensued until the property agent landed the monster fish. But not before his rod jammed into his stomach, leaving him covered in bruises.
‘I almost didn’t go on the trip because I had so much work on but the rest of the guys talked me into it – thank god they did,’ he said. ‘None of us could believe our eyes when we got it on the boat and saw it’s size. It was an amazing experience and a once in a lifetime catch.’
The cod was caught 32km (20 miles) off Pevensey Bay in East Sussex last week. The previous record for the Channel was 15.9kg (35lb) in 2000.
Mr Proctor, from Stoke Gabriel, Devon, has feasted his catch since.
‘I’ve had pan fried cod, cod in batter, a beautiful fish stew and a fish pie. I can’t tell you how much freezer space it has taken up,’ he added.
Mel Russ, editor of Sea Angler, said: ‘It is a stupendous achievement.’
The British record cod is 26kg (58lb), which was landed off Whitby, North Yorkshire, in 1992.
NOTE: now I want fish and chips! Lon
***********
Bigfoot DNA Study - Dr. Melba Ketchum: "Our data is amazing and beautiful and all cutting edge. I will be so glad when we can share it!"
"I hope that when our data is out that it will afford protection for our hairy friends. They do not deserve to be hunted or captured. Everyone needs to step back and take a Jane Goodall approach. Study without harm, that is the best way."
About the new Facebook forum: "Hi all, I will repeat what I said. Much to everyone's chagrin, including mine, I cannot discuss the project per se. I can kill off some rumors here and there and answer some general questions which is why I made this site. I hope this will help everyone to come together. We will have websites that will be launching at the time that the paper comes out with a lot of information. We also will have a website and an associated non-profit protection website. We are very excited about this non-profit that is being formed. Interested parties should contact Sally Ramey for more information."
**********
Brownessie Mystery
Sightings of a creature not dissimilar to the Loch Ness Monster have caused a stir in the normally quiet waters of the Lake District.
Local swimmer Tom Noblett, world record holder in fresh water swimming, thinks he was within feet of the creature whilst out for a morning swim.
Photographer Linden Adams also claims to have seen the creature and has captured it on camera.
The picture is now being analysed by experts in forensic visual computing.
Inside Out investigates the possible discovery of a new species of lake dweller, dubbed 'Bownessie', which some have likened to the Loch Ness monster.
Click for video
NOTE: Cryptozoologist Richard Freeman states that he thinks that this is a large European Eel...Lon
