An 11-foot metal object turned up in a Minnesota cornfield, and even the sheriff says answers are 'cryptic'
A huge metallic object found in a Minnesota cornfield is being investigated by federal agencies as a possible space object.
A large metallic object measuring about 11 feet across was sitting in a Minnesota cornfield when deputies arrived to check it out. What exactly it is remains unclear, and even local law enforcement says the information coming back has been limited.
The object was found on October 14 in a cornfield in Scott Township, according to the Stevens County Sheriff's Office, which later shared a photo of it on social media. Deputies who responded confirmed that a sizeable metal item was in the field and described it as a presumed space object.
That description has only added to the intrigue. Federal agencies are now working to determine where it came from and whether it did in fact fall to Earth from space.
Removed from the field, but not explained
The metal object was taken out of the cornfield on Thursday, but its removal did not bring much clarity for people following the case.
Sheriff Jason Dingman said several agencies are involved in trying to identify the object's origin. He also said his office has not been given much detail, adding that the information they have received has been cryptic.
Dingman said he believes someone much higher up the chain likely knows what the object is, but that information has not been shared with his office. He did not identify the federal agencies involved, saying the case remains open.
For now, the most concrete facts are still the strangest ones: a giant metallic object was found in a rural Minnesota cornfield, it was big enough to be measured at roughly 11 feet in diameter, and the agencies now looking into it have yet to publicly explain exactly what landed there.
What a mystery metal object often is
A large metal object found outdoors is often less exotic than it first appears. Common possibilities include parts from farm machinery, irrigation systems, road equipment, trailers, grain handling kit, industrial tanks, utility hardware, or decorative or art pieces moved from private land. Weather, distance, and social media photos can make size and purpose hard to judge, especially if the item is partly buried or missing attachments.
Shape gives clues. A smooth cylinder may have held liquid or gas. A hollow tube with flanges, brackets, or bolt holes may be a structural or mechanical part. Sharp seams, vents, labels, wiring, and scorch marks can suggest whether it came from a machine, a storage system, or something electrical. If it looks unusually heavy, that may simply mean it is steel rather than aluminium or plastic.
Why it can be risky to touch
Unknown metal objects can be dangerous even when they look harmless. They may have sharp edges, trapped pressure, fuel residue, chemicals, electrical components, or enough weight to roll or shift suddenly. Rust does not make something safe. Nor does the fact that it has been lying still for a while.
The safest approach is simple: do not cut it, open it, drag it with a vehicle, or let children climb on it. Keep pets away. If there is any smell of gas, visible fluid, smoke, sparking, or heat, move back and call emergency services. If the object is blocking a road, near power lines, or close to homes or livestock, treat it as a priority.
What to do if you find one
Start by keeping a clear distance and taking note of the location. Photos from several angles can help identify it, but only if they can be taken safely. Look for markings from a distance, such as stamped numbers, warning symbols, paint colours, or company logos.
Then contact the right local service. For immediate danger, use emergency services. For a non-urgent find, local police, fire services, public works, a utility provider, or the landowner may be able to direct the report. If it is on farmland, avoid driving heavy vehicles over the area, because hidden pipes, cables, or underground damage can be easy to miss.
