[meteorite-list] Meteorites 101-The Bolide and the Nuclear Bomb

From: Martin Altmann <altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:23:10 +0100
Message-ID: <001401cbb695$20a7eed0$61f7cc70$_at_de>

Hi Regine,

because the TNT-equivalent is the most common form to give the measure of
energy released in an explosion.

Big impacts of meteorites release a lot of energy due to the mighty kinetic
energy the impactors have, while hitting.
In fact there are no such natural events else, where punctually so much
energy is released.

Energy is energy, no matter how it's produced, whether by nuclear fission or
by an impact of a meteorite.

You could express the energy released in such an explosion also in Joule,
but quite nobody would have an imagination, what let's say 120 Terajoule
should be.
Though if you say, that explosion was so hefty like 2 Hiroshima bombs, it's
easier to imagine.

Radiation plays no role in or after meteorite impacts.

 
>have there been any cases of mutations or illnesses of animals?

Yes, once a dog in Egypt, a cow in Venezuela and a llama in Peru felt
somewhat ill after a meteorite impact.

Well and else...
I wouldn't call meteorite collectors/dealers/researchers "animals" ;-)

Best!
Martin



-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von Regine
Petersen
Gesendet: Montag, 17. Januar 2011 22:39
An: Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com; Chris Peterson
Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorites 101-The Bolide and the Nuclear Bomb


Hi all,

can some of you explain to me the similarities of an exploding meteor and a
nuclear bomb? There seem to be a lot of references and explosive asteroid
events are often measured in Hiroshima bombs to scare the hell out of
people.

I always asked myself the question why that is? Is there not a different
process at work, that of nuclear fission (atom bomb) and fusion (hydrogen
bomb)?

But when considering Tunguska, the aftermath seems to be very similar. I
would like to know more about this: There has been accelerated tree growth
due to the radiation, have there been any cases of mutations or illnesses of
animals? Is such a radiation as severe as that of a bomb? And what is the
difference / similarity of Tektites and Trinitite?

Regine
Received on Mon 17 Jan 2011 05:23:10 PM PST