NASA initially estimated the Chelyabinsk meteor was about the size of a bus, weighed 7,000 tons, was the largest to hit Earth in 100 years and detonated with the power of 30 atomic bombs. NASA scientists revised notion is that the meteor was 50 feet (15 meters) and yielded a blast equivalent of 470 kilotons, up from its initial opinion of a 300 kiloton explosion.
The nuclear blast at Hiroshima was approximately 16 kilotons. The Chelyabinsk meteor hit the atmosphere at a speed of 64,000 km per hour.
Around 1200 people have sought medical attention in Chelyabinsk alone because of the disaster, the region's governor Mikhail Yurevich told RIA Novosti.
Over 110 of them have been hospitalized and two of them are in critical condition. Among the injured there are 159 children, the Russian Emergency ministry reported. A 52-year-old woman who suffered spinal fracture will be transported to Moscow for treatment, according to RussiaToday.
The meteor that exploded over the Urals of central Russia was seen by Eumetsat's Meteosat-9, at the edge of the satellite view. Hundreds of people were reportedly injured as the meteor's massive sonic boom caused widespread damage.
The blast is thought to have occurred at an altitude of 50 kilometers, according to a Russian astrophysicist. According toValery Shuvalov of the Institute of Geosphere Dynamics RAS, the meteorite most likely was a type of iron-nickel meteorite, as only those objects are strong enough to reach the lower layers of the atmosphere.
According to him, "This body is probably the size of the order of meters and a mass of several tons." The blast has been described as having the power of a small nuclear device.
A screen shot of the meteor explosion.
Injuries total near 1000
As reports come in the number of injuries is increasing from the Russian meteor shower, the old total was around 550. As of 14:30 Moscow time, 514 people had sought medical attention in the disaster area, 112 of whom were hospitalized .Among the injured there are 84 children, according to the Russian Emergency ministry.
The number soon grew to more than 700. The injury toll has since climbed to about 900 people according to new reports from RussiaToday.
Among the injured there are 159 children, Emergency ministry reported. Now reports have grown to 1000 injured, the blast broke more than 100 thousand square meters of windows.
NASA Says Meteor Unrealted to Asteroid 2012 DA14
A meteor seen flying over Russia on Feb. 15 at 3:20: 26 UTC impacted Chelyabinsk. Preliminary information is that this object was unrelated to asteroid 2012 DA14, which made a safe pass by Earth on January 15.
According to NASA scientists, the trajectory of the Russia meteor was significantly different than the trajectory of the asteroid 2012 DA14, making it a completely unrelated object. Information is still being collected about the Russia meteor and analysis is preliminary at this point.
In videos of the meteor, it is seen to pass from left to right in front of the rising sun, which means it was traveling from north to south. Asteroid DA14's trajectory is in the opposite direction, from south to north."
Image credit: Google Earth, NASA/JPL-Caltech
Preliminary information indicates that a meteor in Chelyabinsk, Russia, is not related to asteroid 2012 DA14, which is flying by Earth safely today.
Based on the duration of the event, it was a very shallow entry. It was larger than the meteor over Indonesia on Oct. 8, 2009. Measurements are still coming in, and a more precise measure of the energy may be available later.
The size of the object before hitting the atmosphere was about 49 feet (15 meters) and had a mass of about 7,000 tons.
The meteor, which was about one-third the diameter of asteroid 2012 DA14, was brighter than the sun. Its trail was visible for about 30 seconds, so it was a grazing impact through the atmosphere.
It is important to note that this estimate is preliminary, and may be revised as more data is obtained.
http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/asteroidflyby.html
Russian President Vladimir Putin sends emergency experts to measure meteorite damage
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent emergency agency’s officials to guage the damage to energy facilities caused by the meteor shower Russia’s Urals region. The head of state said local authorities were in control of the situation, but stressed they could do with extra help. Emergency experts will gauge the damage done to the region's communication network and energy facilities.
Russian meteorite weighed 10 tons
The meteorite that struck the Russian region of Chelyabinsk was several meters in diameter, weighed around a dozen tons and had the energy of several kilotons, experts from the Russian Academy of Science say.
According to their estimates, the space object entered the atmosphere at a speed of 15-20 kilometers per second and burst into flames some 30-50 kilometers off the ground reports the Voice Of russia
The fragments of the asteroid left a blazing trail in the sky and caused a strong hit wave. Most of the debris evaporated, while the remaining fragments froze over and could have come down as meteorites, scientists explained.
Characteristic Of meteor
Russian scientists have speculated about the origin of the meteorite exploded in the early morning of the Chelyabinsk region. There is a theory that it could be one of the fragments of asteroid 2012 DA14, which is approaching near the Earth.
According to NASA, its diameter greater than a football field. It is expected that the asteroid will approach the minimum distance from the earth - from 15-20 thousand kilometers (an area of the satellite communications) at 23.25 Moscow time. NASA plans to conduct a live video
streaming live on the internet.
According to preliminary assessments carried out at the request of the Department of Science Russian astronomers the culprit responsible for "meteor shower" could have been a celestial body with a diameter of 10 meters. The power of the explosion can be estimated in the tens or even hundreds of kilotons of TNT equivalent, that is, it looks like a small atomic bomb blast, said respondents.
Videos, which were recorded and the flash and the sound , allow to estimate the height of the explosion - it is 43-47 km. The body, which caused an explosion, may be a stony meteorite or even a mini-comet.
Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Theoretical Physics, CSU Alexander Dudorov said It was” a piece of the cosmic body, which invaded the Earth's atmosphere, but it burned down before reaching the surface - said Dudorov.
- A large outbreak that occurred - it is just the end of the life of the car.
And that thin, that flew further, a meteorite - the cosmic body is not more than a meter, weighing several kilograms. "
The powerful glow, Dudorov explained, was due to the fact that the subject is highly warmed up in the atmosphere.
"A solid becomes a gas, expanding, was a very powerful light. But inside it could have been a metal body, which flew on, "-said Dudorov. He did not rule out that this meteorite was flying along with the asteroid 2012 DA14.
Chelyabinsk astrophysicist, PhD, Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics, Chelyabinsk State University Sergei Zamozdra claims that the city now formed the ozone hole.
"When an object enters the atmosphere and explodes, it first destroys the ozone layer. And, of course, be upon us now is a small ozone hole, and we get a small amount more ultraviolet radiation, "- said Zamozdra to " Gazeta.ru ".
The Astrophysicist explained that the object was flying from space at a speed of about 10 kilometers per second. "It blew up at altitude, in my estimation, 50 kilometers, because the shock waves arrived about two minutes after the explosion. And the sound is three seconds to overcome one kilometer - says Zamozdra.
- Next to the fragment, probably went in the direction of Miass, somewhere in that area may lie a real meteorite or crater. " He added that he is not afraid of radioactive contamination. "Most meteorites are not radioactive. The most powerful is the effect - a flash of light and a shock wave, "- says Zamozdra.
Talking about whether it was possible to predict the location of a meteorite, an astrophysicist explained that in reality it is a difficult task. "It's hard to predict that the meteorite fall is near Chelyabinsk.
The error in this calculation is up to 500 miles - said Zamozdra. - At the Earth each year fall so much aerolites, but judging by the flash, it was very heavy. This event takes place on Earth every 20-30 years. "
Damages Reach 1-Billilon Rubles
The damage caused by a meteorite impact was a billion rubles, according to
the "Interfax" . "Over one billion will be caused. Only on the Ice Palace "Ural Lightning" - 200 million rubles, "- said the governor of Chelyabinsk region Mikhail Yurevich.
According to him, an ice palace "Ural Lightning" suffered the most. Supporting structures are damaged, damaged three transverse beams.
As explained Minister of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Chelyabinsk region Yuri Serebryannikov, because of damage to the palace will be closed for a month and a half.
"Things have to go. Competitions are also canceled, "- said Serebryannikov.
Three meteorite
crash sites found in Chelyabinsk
Three craters have been discovered in the Russian Chelyabinsk region following the crash of three meteorite fragments earlier on Friday, a source with local police has said according to reporting by the Voice of Russia.
As of now, the situation room has received reports saying that three meteorite impact points have been found,” a press office member said.
Two fragments were allegedly discovered in the Chebarkul district, while another one came down near Zlatoustye.
The Chelyabinsk meteorite fell into the lake near the town of Chebarkul. This was reported on the website of Chelyabinsk Region Governor.
Army units found three meteorite debris impact sites, two of which are in an area near Chebarkul Lake, west of Chelyabinsk.
The third site was found some 80 kilometers further to the northwest, near the town of Zlatoust. One of the fragments that struck near Chebarkul left a crater six meters in diameter.
Servicemembers from the tank brigade that found the crater have confirmed that background radiation levels at the site are normal.
Region Where Meteor Blast Took Place
"According to the latest information an operations center has been set up at the request of Governor Mikhail Yurevich, the meteor passed over the territory of the Chelyabinsk region and fell into the pool, 1 km from the city of Chebarkul," - according to a press release.
Meanwhile, a leading expert of the Chebarkulsky urban district civil defense Yuri Gulyakov told "Gazeta.ru" that there are about 550 victims from destruction caused by an impact iof the blast on the city. Information on the exact site of the crash of a celestial body official has not been released.
Rescuers have not yet found fragments of the meteorite, which burnt in the sky over the Urals, according to
"Interfax" ireports from the Information Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia.
"As of 12.00 MSK falling objects were detected and air reconnaissance was conducted by seven aircraft iwhich have been inspecting the Chebarkul, Etkulsky, Satka and Asha areas and Miass and Zlatoust, Chelyabinsk region ", - according to the MOE.
MES earlier reported that
no debris in the Chelyabinsk region has been found , and all the damage was caused only by the shock wave.
According to the Interior Ministry, the number of victims from
a meteorite blast in the Chelyabinsk region was about 400 people but that number has grown to 550.
"It was destroyed in the atmosphere creating a cloud of fragments, that resulted in a shock wave and burst of light. Hence the flash and broken windows. Much of the material has evaporated, the remaining pieces stalled and fell. But the exact location on the wreckage has not been determined "- said the scientist.
Another Tunguska Event?
A series of explosions in the skies of Russia’s Urals region, reportedly caused by a meteorite shower, has sparked panic in three major cities. Witnesses said that houses shuddered, windows were blown out and cellphones have stopped working. According to unconfirmed reports, the meteorite was intercepted by an air defense unit at the Urzhumka settlement near Chelyabinsk. A missile salvo reportedly blew the meteorite to pieces at an altitude of 20 kilometers.
More here
Atmospheric phenomena have been registered in the cities of Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg and Tyumen. Some believe it is related to the approaching asteroid 2012 DA14.
Military Intervention:
A
ccording to unconfirmed reports, the meteorite was intercepted by an air defense unit at the Urzhumka settlement near Chelyabinsk. A missile salvo blew the meteorite to pieces at an altitude of 20 kilometers, local newspaper Znak reports quoting a source in the military.
Regnum news agency quoted a military source who claimed that the vapor condensation trail of the meteorite speaks to the fact that the meteorite was intercepted by air defenses.
Army units found three meteorite debris impact sites, two of which are in an area near Chebarkul Lake, west of Chelyabinsk. The third site was found some 80 kilometers further to the northwest, near the town of Zlatoust.
The Russian space agency
Roskosmos has confirmed the object that crashed in the Chelyabinsk region is a meteorite and is not of technological origin. “According to preliminary estimates, this space object is of non-technogenic origin and qualifies as a meteorite. It was moving at a low trajectory with a speed of about 30 km/per second.” The landing area of any fragments has not yet been determined and such objects are difficult to track according to
Roskosmos
Factory Destroyed
A roof collapsed into Chelyabinsk region when a
meteorite destroyed a Zinc Factory. Pictures of the affected companies
have appeared in Twitter. The blast affected areas as far away as 80 kilometers.
It is reported that after the fall of the meteorite fragments in the factory caught fire.
By Александр Корецкий @a_koretsky
Photo:
vk.com
Reporter standing next to meteor blasted factory wall
One user posted a photo go to the factory, which is badly damaged ceiling. Presumably, the damage caused by the samples Samples wall fragments of a meteorite.
The plant has been reported that the broken wall of the concentrate storage, do not pose environmental hazards and damaged government buildings. Four people from the staff were slightly injured.
Building with windows blasted out by shockwave from the meteor air burst
Photo:
vk.com
In many homes, the shock wave blew out windows and in some buildings roofs collapsed, also broken electric wires are reported
Photo: Eugene Hazhey / ITAR-TASS
First Shard Of Meteorite Found Armored Brigade soldiers discovered a meteorite impact site on Lake Chebarkul in the Chelyabinsk region. The meteor shard is in a crater of six meters The military got to the crash site of one of the fragments
of the Chelyabinsk meteorite near lake Chebarkul. According to RIA Novosti, the representative of the Central Military District Colonel Jaroslav Roshchupkin on the shore tank crews discovered six-meter crater.
Jaroslav Roshchupkin , spokesman CVO: "On the shores of Lake Chebarkul, opposite the same name, the military separate tank brigade found the place the alleged fall of a fragment of a meteorite - a funnel diameter of about six meters."
Servicemen measured
radiation level on the site of a meteorite. According to a representative of the Armed Forces, the radiation level does not exceed the norm.
Dozens of pieces of debris from large meteor reached Earth - Emergency Situations Ministry
Photo: RIA NovostiThe meteorite that fell in the Chelyabinsk region fell into several dozen large pieces, Russian Emergency Situations Minister Vladimir Puchkov said.
"There were several dozen fairly large pieces, of which some reached Earth. Special groups of scientists are now studying these pieces at the site," Puchkov told reporters on Friday.
A laboratory has been deployed in the emergency area, he said. The radiation levels are normal and no chemically dangerous emissions have been registered, he said.
"There is no threat to people's lives or health from other factors either," Puchkov said. The chemical composition of the pieces will be determined after a comprehensive analysis.
Meteor debris should not be touched - Emergency Situations Ministry
The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has warned about the dangers of coming near meteorite debris, which can be found in the Urals.
First Report of Injuries
Chelyabinsk regional administration made a
special annoucement , which encouraged people to return home and pick up the kids from school. Local officials made it clear that in many homes broken glass. Background radiation in the region is normal, added the administration.
Earlier it was reported that when a meteorite hit the four students. teenagers were injured by broken glass, broken by the blast.
A fragment of the meteorite, which fell over the Urals and injured hundreds of people may have fallen in Tavda - on the border of the Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions, according to
Znak.com citing the local Duma deputy Viktor Nikulin. A
ccording to Nikulin
, the message was received from the villagers from an area 10 kilometers south of Tavda.
"There went to the police. The residents claim that their houses were shaking, "- explained Nikulin.
Residents of the Tavda claim that did see a bright light in the sky, but no explosions were heard.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Emergency Situations says there are signs of meterorites falling in the Tyumen region.
In Chelyabinsk, witnesses said the explosion was so loud that it resembled an earthquake and thunder at the same time, and that there were huge trails of smoke across the sky. Others reported seeing burning objects fall to earth, according to The Voice of Russia.
Office buildings in downtown Chelyabinsk were evacuated. The regional Emergency Ministry said the phenomenon was a meteorite shower, but locals have speculated that it was a military fighter jet crash or a missile explosion.
More than 470 people sought help after the fall of meteorite fragments in the Chelyabinsk region, 22 of them were hospitalized. That's according to the
head of the National Center for Crisis Management Emergency Situations Vladimir Stepanov on radio station "Vesti FM", and the broadcast was quoted by RIA "Novosti".
"Among them, 10 children were affected, with serious injuries," - said Stepanov.
Meanwhile, the number of hospitalized immediately in Chelyabinsk increased to nine. This was reported on the official
website of the city administration.
"According to the Department of Health Administration of Chelyabinsk, at 13.00 on February 15, 367 people, including 58 children were seeking medical help in the city . This includes 35 ambulance calls, the rest went to the hospital emergency room on their own. 9 people were hospitalized, including two children. Injuries were caused mainly by broken glass after the blast shattered windows, "- according to a statement.
This video shows panic in a school after the exploding meteor
As a result of a meteorite in the Chelyabinsk region many houses and building had their glass windows blown out. As many as 130 students were injured from cuts, according to "Interfax", the press center of the Interior Ministry.
According to the press center, in the Chelyabinsk region in the area of Satka about 80 km from the district center where the meteorite fell, many Satka homes and buildings, facing towards Chelyabinsk the site of the crash had their glass windows destroyed.
Chelyabinsk falling meteorite impact
Read more:
http://www.ntv.ru/novosti/463157/#ixzz2Kx5VSD33
Scientist: meteorite fall in the Chelyabinsk region could cause a ozone hole
The consequence of a meteorite in the Chelyabinsk region could cause an ozone hole in the atmsophere, acciord to PhD, Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics, Chelyabinsk State University Sergei Zamozdra speaking with "Gazety.Ru"
The meteor blew up at an altitude of about 50 kilometers according to Zamozdra by his estimation of the time it took for the shock waves to arrive was about two minutes after the flash, and the sound traveled at about three seconds per kilometer. A trace of the fragment, probably went in the direction of Miass, somewhere in that area may lie a real meteorite or crater.
When an object enters the atmosphere and explodes, it first destroys the ozone layer. And, of course, be upon us now is a small ozone hole, and we get a small amount more ultraviolet radiation. As for radioactive contamination - I think they can not grow much because most meteorites are not radioactive. The most powerful is the effect - a flash of light and shock, "- said Zamozdra.
"It's hard to predict that the meteorite fall is near Chelyabinsk. The error in this calculation is 500 kilometers. Fall to Earth each year, such large stones, but judging by the flash, it was very rare.This event takes place on Earth every 20-30 years, "- he added.
The weakening of the ozone layer increases the flux of solar radiation on Earth and cause people to increase the number of skin cancers. Also, high levels of radiation leads to a sharp increase in mortality of marine animals and plants.
Warning for 2nd Wave Of Meteors
EMERCOM in Chelyabinsk region warned the emergency services and medical facilities on the second wave of falling fireballs. It is reported by
Ura.ru .
According to the agency, the second series of cars waiting for the fall with 12 hours and 30 minutes to 14 hours. Officially, these data are not confirmed.
Video by
Алексей Павлович
Above Chelyabinsk 15/02/2013g. at 9:00 a.m. about 30 minutes after the meteor blast, which was a bright fireball enveloped by smoke on a dark circle and powerful white trail behind. At first impression, that before you the sun rises, so it was brilliant. It was seen many residents of Chelyabinsk and Chelyabinsk region. After 3 minutes, followed by a series of explosions. The first most powerful, from which flew glass in many homes, offices, schools, kindergartens and other facilities, has worked in the car alarm and there were failures of cellular communication, as well as multi-car electronics.Two slightly smaller and about 10-12 residues. This event made a major stir among residents of Chelyabinsk and left in memory of something new and very real fear ... some force space, which can lead to the death of all mankind," writes
Алексей Павлович
Marsel Nizamov
The consequences of the meteorite in SUSU Chelyabinsk by Nikita Tyshchenko
Russian Academy of Sciences
The Russian Academy of Sciences reported the Chelyabinsk meteor by saying: "This morning in the city of Chelyabinsk the fall of a cosmic body was recorded, which caused a bright flash of light and a strong shock wave.
It shattered windows in homes. We estimate the size of the body was a few meters, the weight of the order of ten tons, the energy of a few kilotons. The body of the meteor fell into the atmosphere at a speed of 15-20 km / s, and broke apart at an altitude of 30-50 km, the movement of the fragments at high speed caused powerful glow and a strong shock wave. The main part of the substance of the falling body evaporated (burned), the fragments that fell to the ground as meteorites. Usually, the total mass of meteorites is found no more 1-5% of the initial mass. The main energy will be released at an altitude of 5-15 km.
The bodies of this size are falling quite often, several times a year, but usually burn at high altitudes (30-50 km). It seems the body was very strong, probably iron. The last time a similar phenomenon was observed in Russia was in 2002 (Vitim bolide). More accurate estimates can be given after receipt of all the information available."
Meteor arrival in sequence
S Urals meteorite investigated for link to asteroid 2012DA14
Astronomers at the Pulkovo Observatory outside St Petersburg say they believe the meteorite that crashed into the South Urals this morning was linked to the approach of the 2012DA14 asteroid, which is to make a close shave with the Earth at a distance of just 27,000 kilometers tonight.
In St. Petersburg, astronomers at the planetarium will try to find out whether there is a danger to Earth from other meteorites. "Perhaps the asteroid DA14 is a" suite" and the Chelyabinsk meteor was part of that suite. . They are trying to find out if there the asteroid has "traveling companions" said astronomer Maxim Hovrichev , who was quoted by "Interfax ".
According to Hovrichev St. Petersburg will see the asteroid DA14 on Friday at midnight. "It will be weaker than the faintest stars, so he advise people to use binoculars,"
Cuban Meteor
Residents of a locality ‘in the central region of Cuba said they had seen an object that fell from the sky and exploded with a great noise, which shook the houses of the place: it is learned from testimonies collected by local television. In service published this morning by Rodas, town in the province of Cienfuegos, witnesses described a very bright light that has come to have large size, comparable to that of a bus, before exploding in the sky.
http://www.rainews24.rai.it/it/news.php?newsid=174956
2nd source
Huge explosion in the sky in Cuba Meanwhile, also from Cuba has been reported in an explosion sky. In the central region of the island has seen an object that fell from the sky and exploded with a great noise, which shook the houses in the place, reports on local television. In a report released this morning by Rodas, town in the province of Cienfuegos, witnesses described a very bright light that has come to have large size, comparable to that of a bus, before exploding in the sky.
Marcos Rodriguez, a resident in region, as defined by the issuer an expert, reported that “everything seems to indicate that it was a fireball, which is a fragment of stone and metal that enters the Earth’s atmosphere at high speed.” Experts are now examining the area for possible remains Rodas minerals falling from the sky, the TV station added
