Gnatstown, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gnatstown
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 Gnatstown
Location in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | York |
| Elevation | 761 ft (232 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1203692 |
Gnatstown is a small, quiet place located in York County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it is a group of homes and businesses that does not have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it is part of the larger county.
What Happened in Gnatstown?
In September 2023, Gnatstown became famous for a very unusual event. A small space rock, called an asteroid, entered Earth's atmosphere right above the community.
The Space Rock's Journey
This asteroid was quite small, only about six inches (15 centimeters) wide. That is roughly the size of a large ruler! It traveled an amazing 55 miles (about 88 kilometers) through Earth's atmosphere. As it sped through the air, friction caused it to heat up and glow brightly.
The Asteroid Breaks Up
The heat and pressure caused the asteroid to break into smaller pieces. This happened right over Gnatstown. When space rocks break up in the atmosphere, they often create a bright flash of light and sometimes a loud boom. This event was a rare and exciting moment for the people living in the area. It showed how even small objects from space can make a big impact, literally, on Earth.
