Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Founder of The Interstellar Collection in Ambler tracks and recovers the Ohio meteorite
April 3rd, 2026 | By Ryan Genova
Contact Information:
The Interstellar Collection, LLC
Contact: Lisa DeChristofaro
Email: ICMeteorites@gmail.com
Release Date:
March 30, 2026
The following press release was submitted to Around Ambler by The Interstellar Collection, LLC:
When reports of a brilliant fireball and a house-shaking sonic boom spread across more than 10 states on March 17, 2026, Ambler resident and expert meteorite hunter Brett Joseph Cohen didn’t hesitate. Within
hours, he was on the road, heading toward what he suspected would become a fresh “strewn field”—the projected area where meteorites may have fallen based on collected data.
“The reports looked solid. The data was promising. The radar returns were strong—this was a perfect recipe for potential meteorite recoveries,” Cohen said. “When everything lines up like that, you pack your bags, say your goodbyes, and go.”
Cohen arrived in Medina County, Ohio later that same day, joining other experienced meteorite hunters. Using radar data, trajectory modeling, and eyewitness accounts, the group narrowed the likely fall zone to a corridor roughly 10 miles wide—an area scattered with potential stones from a six-foot-wide, seven-ton asteroid that broke apart in Earth’s atmosphere.
The work that follows is equal parts science and persistence. Experts map out search areas, secure permission to access private land, and begin covering ground on foot—often walking up to 20 miles or more per day.
But for Cohen, the urgency extends beyond simply being first on site. He works directly with scientists to ensure newly recovered meteorites are analyzed and classified as quickly as possible. Freshly fallen meteorites are especially valuable because they have minimal exposure to Earth’s environment. Moisture, oxygen, and microbes can begin altering their composition almost immediately—a process known as
terrestrial weathering.
“The sooner you recover them, the closer they are to how they existed in space,” Cohen explained. “In some cases, we’re recovering them just hours after they land. That’s what makes them so important for scientific study.”
Fragments from this fall are believed to originate from Vesta, one of the largest objects in the asteroid belt, making this type of fall exceptionally rare. Early finds have drawn strong interest both scientifically and commercially, with some specimens reaching prices of $500 or more per gram.
So far, Cohen has recovered five glassy, blackened stones with distinctive surface features formed during their high-speed descent through the atmosphere. Some stones even showcase 360 degrees of spikes surrounding it, a unique feature not commonly found on meteorites.
While some specimens enter private collections, others are prioritized for research. Cohen regularly works with laboratories to ensure proper documentation and classification, contributing to the broader scientific understanding of planetary formation and the early solar system. One of his stones from Ohio has already been donated to science.
Cohen, 41, developed an interest in meteorites as a child growing up in Huntingdon Valley (Lower Moreland Township). He later turned that passion into a full-time career through his business, The Interstellar Collection, where he provides clients, museums, and universities with fully authenticated, traceable, and officially published meteorites, while also educating the public and actively pursuing new recoveries.
His work allows him to continually connect with a close-knit network of other expert meteorite hunters who travel across the globe in response to new falls. In Ohio, days were spent scanning fields, while evenings brought shared meals and strategy discussions for the next day’s search.
While progress has been made, Cohen believes the most significant piece—the main mass—remains undiscovered. Recent rain has softened the ground, increasing the likelihood that larger fragments could become buried in their own little craters they’ve created.
“Somewhere out there, there’s still a much larger stone waiting to be found,” he said. “The challenge is getting to it before it’s lost beneath the surface.”
Cohen and his team even attempted an aerial search of the strewn field through hiring a pilot and private airplane in hopes of spotting a visible impact site from the sky, but weather conditions prevented safe low-altitude flight, and that mission was put on hold.
After 14 days in the field and more than 193,000 steps—equating to roughly 100 miles of walking—he has returned to his Ambler residence. When asked if he plans to return to Ohio again for a search in the near future, he simply looked over with hesitation and a smile, saying “The strewn field is a funny place. When you’re ready to throw in the towel, you leave it just as fast as you had packed your bags to get there on day one. Yet, during the entire ride home, you wish you had never left”.
For more about The Interstellar Collection, LLC, you can visit their website and Instagram page.
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Contact Information:
The Interstellar Collection, LLC
Contact: Missy Slater
Email: ICMeteorites@gmail.com
Release Date:
September 25, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Interstellar Collection, LLC, Born and Raised in Ambler Borough, Brings the Universe Closer to You
Ambler, Pennsylvania – September 25, 2024 – The Interstellar Collection, LLC is a unique business venture, born and raised in the borough of Ambler, Pennsylvania, dedicated to the curation and trade of genuine, high quality Meteorite specimens. The company’s mission is to inspire people of all ages to explore the universe beyond our own planet and foster a deeper connection to the wonders of the universe through hands-on experiences and the unique opportunity to own genuine pieces of outer space.
Founded by Brett Joseph Cohen, a passionate space enthusiast and entrepreneur, The Interstellar Collection, LLC offers a curated selection of genuine Meteorite specimens studied by leading scientists in the field of Meteoritics. “We’re proud to collaborate with the best scientists in this field to bring our Meteorites into the hands of museums, universities and to the general public.” says Brett.
“The universe is a magnificent expanse filled with enigma and fascination, yet not many people remember to look up once in a while. We’re used to looking down at our phones, computers and whatever else is distracting us. There is so much going on up there, but we never marvel at the incredible show that space is putting on for us on a nightly basis. We aim to change that.”
The Interstellar Collection, LLC offers a wide range of Meteorites for sale for all different types of collectors and budgets. Some of their specimens are even scientifically confirmed to have originated from the Moon and Mars, creating a truly extraordinary experience for collectors and educators alike. “To be able to physically hold and own a piece of the moon is truly an out-of-this-world experience that I, as a kid, used to only dream about.”
In addition to their unique Meteorite specimens, The Interstellar Collection, LLC hosts series of presentations and events all around the United States (and soon to be international) with hands-on learning, aimed at engaging the community on the topic of Meteorites. “We are talking about stones that formed from a dense cloud of gas and dust during the beginning of our solar system, over 4.5 billion years ago. There is literally nothing older and nothing that tells a better story of the formation of our solar system than a Meteorite. This is how we integrate education into our company – there is an infinite amount of learning that can be accomplished through holding just one stone”
About The Interstellar Collection, LLC: The Interstellar Collection, LLC was officially founded in 2020 and is based out of the borough of Ambler, Pennsylvania. The company is committed to sharing the awe of the universe through the sales of genuine Meteorites and educational experiences. The company seeks to inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the cosmos. While the company currently travels around the United States to conduct business, it has been mentioned that it wouldn’t be out of the question to one day have a physical storefront located where this all began - the beautiful Ambler borough.
Learn more about The Interstellar Collection, LLC by visiting www.theinterstellarcollection.com, or follow us on Instagram @the_interstellar_collection.
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For press inquiries, please contact:
Missy Slater
The Interstellar Collection, LLC
ICMeteorites@gmail.com
www.theinterstellarcollection.com
**This press release is designed to inform the public and media about the company’s mission and offerings.**