Meteor(s) injures hundreds in central Russia

[Neil]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21468116


A meteor crashing in the Urals of central Russia has reportedly injured at least 400 people, as the shockwave blew out windows and rocked buildings.

Most of those hurt suffered minor cuts and bruises but some received head injuries, Russian media report.

A fireball was seen streaking through the sky above the city of Yekaterinburg, followed by loud bangs.


Very impressive footage --> http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/8310799/Russia-showered-by-meteorite-rain

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[krisvds]

Quick! Into the magic tent:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueAYUp4rHZI

[Mr. Clean]

I would have probably been scared to death wondering "is this was the end?" :(

Scary!

[Tricky]

I bet some Russians will make a fortune selling lumps of space rock online now!

[wayzim]

So two things came to mind when I saw initial footage on the news this morning.

The first impression was 'Wow. The fireball as first seen from the highway looked like a cheap special effect. '
The second was surprise that several of the news channels treated this as business as usual. It makes me think of Don Henley's song 'Dirty Laundry. '

But the most important reality check here is that we don't need a hunk of rock 'The Size of Texas. ' to do significant damage.

Wayne Z

[Neil]

But the most important reality check here is that we don't need a hunk of rock 'The Size of Texas. ' to do significant damage.

Wayne Z
Well, Russia's big impact in Tunguska in 1908 was only something around 100 meters in size, and that resulting in a blast equaling tens of megatons! If such a thing landed today on a populated area, millions could be lost!

It could also easily get mistaken for a nuclear attack, so lucky our fingers are no longer hovering so close to those buttons anymore!



...and all this on a day when we have a known asteroid (2012 DA14) traveling so close, it will be inside the orbit of some satellites!

http://www.universetoday.com/99865/asteroid-2012-da14-observing-prospects-and-how-to-see-it/#ixzz2KtnkJAVT
Live coverage here - http://www.bareket-astro.com/live-astronomical-web-cast/asteroid-2012-da14-flyby-webcast.html

- - - Updated - - -

Injured approaching 1000 now...

[Neil]

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For you UK folks, there's a documentary on Ch4 this coming Sunday.