As a farmer in rural Saskatchewan, Barry Sawchuk is used to removing rocks and weeds from his fields, but he recently discovered a two-meter wide, 40-kilogram heap of twisted, burnt metal.
"My oldest son and I were out driving around just checking fields," said Sawchuk, who farms near Ituna, Sask., about 250 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon. "We came across this object. We thought originally it was just garbage."
Barry said the multiple layers of charred composite fibers and webbing made him suspect it was space debris.
Based on the date and location, a group of university astronomers connected the debris to a rocket from private company SpaceX that flew back in February.
University astronomers have noted that large chunks of metal from space have recently been found in Australia, Florida and Washington state
So far, Space X hasn't come to claim the debris but Barry said once spring seeding is done on the farm, he has plans for his new treasure. "Here in Ituna, Saskatchewan, we're in the process of building a [hockey] rink. I think, if I can, I'm going to sell it. Some of the proceeds will go to the rink," he said. "That's where I was born and raised, so why not?"