In what will surely be one of the truly amazing natural events of this new century, a huge meteor smashed through the atmosphere over Asia then exploded while it was still over eighteen miles above the earth. Pieces of the meteorite were found near Chelyabinsk, just about nine hundred miles east of Moscow. Over one thousand people in Chelyabinsk were treated for various injuries, most for glass fragments in their bodies. The force of the meteor's explosion was actually equal to that of several atomic bombs.
On Sunday, Russian scientists were already collecting samples of the meteorites. For many scientists, as well as many laymen, this event - though extraordinary, and probably of the "once in a lifetime" variety, was quickly recognized for what it was - an extraordinary event. A NATURAL event. Yet many other Russians, particularly older folks, were convinced that World War III had started, that the United States had finally "pushed the button." Others, convinced of this same thing, were not "hysterical old ladies" as one source quoted, but were young men and women who believed that their government is not telling them the truth. Hmmm...I wonder what ever gave them the idea that their government MIGHT lie to them.
As I was searching the 'Net for reliable information about the meteor, it was difficult not to find the other stories as well. The truth is amazing enough: For example, it is believed that the meteor, before it exploded, weight over ten thousand pounds, or ten tons. Of course the explosion, as terrifying as it was, actually saved the earth from any major damage. Some of the meteorites found have measured over a meter across. According to the Russian scientists, each separate meteorite still generated forces equal to several tons of TNT.
But what when the seemingly "unexplainable" happens, "explanations" that are less than credible abound. For instance, one Russian conspiracy mill spread the word that the United States had tested a secret weapon - one that could produce limitless fire and explosions. On the other hand, several elderly Russian ladies caught the local police chief and warned him through no uncertain terms that the end of the world was in progress as proven by "fire falling from the sky." Of course stories of "Alien Invasion" spread rapidly as well.
Unfortunately, there was one scenario that was proffered, and that WAS credible, and was VERY SCARY for the Russians, and for US, the United States, as well. You see, this meteor crossed Russian skies in the morning, but yet in broad daylight, as the work day had just started. The meteor streaking across the sky that morning resembled very closely a cruise missile. Now you can see how this event took a scary and nearly disastrous turn. The Russian defense network took this perceived threat very seriously. Fortunately cool heads prevailed, as the speed and size of the object were taken into consideration. A cruise missile does not weigh in at 10,000 tons nor does it travel at speeds exceeding 30,000 miles per hour. These facts were already known before the meteor exploded.
I guess we will never know how close this event came to being an...er...world-changing event. I can only imagine what the outcome would have been had the meteor exploded without having been tracked before the explosion, which was believed to have been at an altitude of over 18 miles above the Siberian country, another factor precluding the cruise missile attack theory. But this once in a lifetime event could have had a more dire outcome. In the three decades since the collapse of the old Soviet Union, a lot has changed. Fortunately, one of those changes has been the more relaxed feelings, and maybe a little trust by both nations towards each other. I grew up under the shadow of MAD, or "mutually assured destruction." Since the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, both the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics stood poised to enact MAD, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year. I am so thankful for the good meteor's decision not to fall over Siberia until the year 2013.
So, instead of MAD, we were treated to the effects of a fairly large meteor crossing the skies in daylight, blowing up miles overhead, and raining fragments down on a city, all the while without causing a single fatality, that we know of. Russian scientists now have a treasure trove of meteorites to examine, and the glass makers of Siberia have customers for at least the next year. And we have a great example of how cool heads prevailed, cooperation and honesty between American and Russian authorities won the day, and MAD was held off for who knows how long. The very thing could happen over this great nation of ours, and should this happen, I hope and pray that cool heads again will assess the situation, overcome the doubt and mistrust, and that the space rocks will fall without causing to much pain and suffering for those at "Ground Zero."
On Sunday, Russian scientists were already collecting samples of the meteorites. For many scientists, as well as many laymen, this event - though extraordinary, and probably of the "once in a lifetime" variety, was quickly recognized for what it was - an extraordinary event. A NATURAL event. Yet many other Russians, particularly older folks, were convinced that World War III had started, that the United States had finally "pushed the button." Others, convinced of this same thing, were not "hysterical old ladies" as one source quoted, but were young men and women who believed that their government is not telling them the truth. Hmmm...I wonder what ever gave them the idea that their government MIGHT lie to them.
As I was searching the 'Net for reliable information about the meteor, it was difficult not to find the other stories as well. The truth is amazing enough: For example, it is believed that the meteor, before it exploded, weight over ten thousand pounds, or ten tons. Of course the explosion, as terrifying as it was, actually saved the earth from any major damage. Some of the meteorites found have measured over a meter across. According to the Russian scientists, each separate meteorite still generated forces equal to several tons of TNT.
But what when the seemingly "unexplainable" happens, "explanations" that are less than credible abound. For instance, one Russian conspiracy mill spread the word that the United States had tested a secret weapon - one that could produce limitless fire and explosions. On the other hand, several elderly Russian ladies caught the local police chief and warned him through no uncertain terms that the end of the world was in progress as proven by "fire falling from the sky." Of course stories of "Alien Invasion" spread rapidly as well.
Unfortunately, there was one scenario that was proffered, and that WAS credible, and was VERY SCARY for the Russians, and for US, the United States, as well. You see, this meteor crossed Russian skies in the morning, but yet in broad daylight, as the work day had just started. The meteor streaking across the sky that morning resembled very closely a cruise missile. Now you can see how this event took a scary and nearly disastrous turn. The Russian defense network took this perceived threat very seriously. Fortunately cool heads prevailed, as the speed and size of the object were taken into consideration. A cruise missile does not weigh in at 10,000 tons nor does it travel at speeds exceeding 30,000 miles per hour. These facts were already known before the meteor exploded.
I guess we will never know how close this event came to being an...er...world-changing event. I can only imagine what the outcome would have been had the meteor exploded without having been tracked before the explosion, which was believed to have been at an altitude of over 18 miles above the Siberian country, another factor precluding the cruise missile attack theory. But this once in a lifetime event could have had a more dire outcome. In the three decades since the collapse of the old Soviet Union, a lot has changed. Fortunately, one of those changes has been the more relaxed feelings, and maybe a little trust by both nations towards each other. I grew up under the shadow of MAD, or "mutually assured destruction." Since the days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, both the United States and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics stood poised to enact MAD, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred sixty-five days a year. I am so thankful for the good meteor's decision not to fall over Siberia until the year 2013.
So, instead of MAD, we were treated to the effects of a fairly large meteor crossing the skies in daylight, blowing up miles overhead, and raining fragments down on a city, all the while without causing a single fatality, that we know of. Russian scientists now have a treasure trove of meteorites to examine, and the glass makers of Siberia have customers for at least the next year. And we have a great example of how cool heads prevailed, cooperation and honesty between American and Russian authorities won the day, and MAD was held off for who knows how long. The very thing could happen over this great nation of ours, and should this happen, I hope and pray that cool heads again will assess the situation, overcome the doubt and mistrust, and that the space rocks will fall without causing to much pain and suffering for those at "Ground Zero."
