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Russian scientists estimate that the meteorite exploded in the atmosphere at aprox 32,000 ft; however, the time from the "explosion" to the sound made by the boom is 2 minutes and 20 seconds later.
That is inconsistant with the speed of sound which travels at 1126 ft per second. So, the explosion should have taken place 180,000 ft away. (thanks to DRob4JC)
What is the purpose of them lying about this?
Secondly, why did the meteorite disintegrate suddenly after a bright, illuminating flash?
Why didn't the same thing happen to this meteorite?
Did the Russians intervene with the meteorite? If so, does the fragmentation indicate their missle defense system is not as sophisticated as previously thought? Does this mean they are not impenetrable? Can things (gamma rays etc) still get through?
Russian scientists estimate that the meteorite exploded in the atmosphere at aprox 32,000 ft; however, the time from the "explosion" to the sound made by the boom is 2 minutes and 20 seconds later.
That is inconsistant with the speed of sound which travels at 1126 ft per second. So, the explosion should have taken place 180,000 ft away. (thanks to DRob4JC)
What is the purpose of them lying about this?
Secondly, why did the meteorite disintegrate suddenly after a bright, illuminating flash?
Why didn't the same thing happen to this meteorite?
Did the Russians intervene with the meteorite? If so, does the fragmentation indicate their missle defense system is not as sophisticated as previously thought? Does this mean they are not impenatrable? Can things (gamma rays etc) still get through?
The estimates could have been off because of a rush to explain it to the public.
Sometimes early estimates are very ball park in the rush to explain it to Joe Q Public.
This is reality science, not theories on paper with months of calculations and double checking here.
I thought their reporting so soon with what they had was pretty impressive.
Russian scientists estimate that the meteorite exploded in the atmosphere at aprox 32,000 ft; however, the time from the "explosion" to the sound made by the boom is 2 minutes and 20 seconds later.
That is inconsistant with the speed of sound which travels at 1126 ft per second. So, the explosion should have taken place 180,000 ft away. (thanks to DRob4JC)
The speed of sound is 1126 ft per second only at sea level and only at 20 degrees C with minimal humidty.
An increase in altitude, decrease in temperature and addition of humidity will decrease the speed of sound.
I'm sure that the meteor was not observed at sea level.
I'd imagine that the temperature was below 20 degrees C.
I have no idea what the humidity was.
2 of the three factors would certainly decrease the speed of sound.
Curiously, the meteorite's plastic ID card was found completely intact near the impact site.
I can't believe that Chris Farley's attempt to return to planet earth to save us all was thwarted by The Soviets and their godless SCUD missiles
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