Tesla Model Y's 'Out of This World' Collision: Meteorite Strike Leaves Driver Amazed

Unusual Collision: Tesla Model Y Encounters a Celestial Visitor

In an event that sounds plucked from the pages of science fiction, a Tesla Model Y in Australia has reportedly become the first vehicle to collide with a meteorite. The extraordinary incident is said to have occurred on the night of October 19th, as the electric vehicle navigated a highway at a brisk 110 km/h. Without warning, an unidentified object struck the car, causing immediate chaos inside.

Unwavering Autonomy Amidst the Unexplained

Remarkably, despite the shock and disorientation within the cabin, the Model Y continued its journey under Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode. It was only after the vehicle had safely navigated the situation that the driver, Dr. Andrew Melville-Smith, brought it to a halt in a secure location. Dr. Melville-Smith described the impact as being accompanied by a deafening explosion, which shattered the windscreen and filled the interior with acrid white smoke. The sudden jolt left him and his wife stunned for approximately ten minutes, initially leading them to believe they had been involved in a conventional accident.

Safety System's Crucial Role

"If we had been in any other vehicle, we would have crashed during those moments of incapacitation," the driver recounted. "The FSD system kept us safe."

This testament highlights the potential safety benefits of advanced driver-assistance systems in unexpected and extreme circumstances. The driver's immediate assessment suggests that without the car's continued autonomous function, the outcome could have been far more dire.

Forensic Clues and Scientific Inquiry

Upon inspecting the point of impact, Dr. Melville-Smith discovered glass that appeared melted and then re-solidified, still warm to the touch. Reviewing footage from Tesla's Sentry Mode provided no evidence of any terrestrial cause for the collision. Furthermore, a search of the immediate vicinity at the purported impact site yielded no remnants of the object responsible for the dramatic encounter. A tweet from @Channel10AU humorously noted, "Just said Tesla has worlds safest car as a Meteorite hits a Model Y in Australia ☄️🇦🇺".

The Meteorite Hypothesis and Its Implications

The evidence, particularly the molten glass, strongly suggests that a fragment of a meteorite may have struck the vehicle. Such temperatures, exceeding 1500°C, are characteristic of meteoritic entry and the subsequent impact. Dr. Melville-Smith has reached out to the South Australian Museum, the authority on meteorite discoveries in the region, to have the glass sample analyzed. If his suspicions are confirmed, this incident would represent an astronomically rare event, with a probability estimated at one in a billion – a truly mind-boggling statistic.

Future of the Damaged Tesla

The Tesla Model Y is undoubtedly facing extensive repairs. However, in the digital sphere, some social media commentators have humorously suggested preserving the car's current state as a unique memento of this unprecedented event. Meanwhile, other automotive curiosities continue to surface, such as the ongoing discussion around "invisible" markings on the Tesla Cybertruck, sparking debates about vandalism versus manufacturing defects.