Aire-sur-la-Lys
History (P.-M. Pelé, meteor-center.com) : On June 2, 1738, around 7 a.m., the inhabitants of the village of Guarbecque and surrounding area observed a meteor coming from the east, accompanied by a luminous trail. A noise similar to a detonation was simultaneously heard, very quickly followed by whistling. Peasants working in their fields saw several stones falling around them. The first article on the fall was published on June 13, 1738. Six stones fell in Guarbecque (50°36'32.62"N , 2°29'10.71"E; two were picked up, according to the newspapers) and two fell in the marsh of Ham (50°35'34.97"N, 2°27'52.13"E), which were also reportedly collected. More stones fell but could not be recovered because of the swamp. The total mass of the two largest meteorites was 14 pounds (one pound being equal at that time to 489.5 g, which gives a total mass of more than 6.8 kg for these two stones). A 3.6 kg stone was sent to the Academy of Sciences in Paris. Scientists analyzed it and noted that they “recognize small metal & pyritic parts ; it is covered with a black crust.” They came to the conclusion that lightning struck pyritic rocks. The Aire-sur-la-Lys meteorite is now lost.