Foreign scientists studying the meteorite that exploded in the skies over Chelyabinsk, said that it is much more dangerous than it seems.
Meteors the size of the one that surprised the residents of Chelyabinsk in February are likely to have seven times more likely to re-cut into the Earth’s atmosphere. The strength of the explosion of the meteorite was equal to the destructive power of 40 atomic bombs exploded in Hiroshima. The shock wave shattered thousands of windows, as a result of the bright flash of about 70 people temporarily blind. Total affected more than 1,600 people.
American researchers who develop a plan in case of an asteroid collision with the earth, predicts that 78 million people could die, if there is such a celestial body hit the big city.
Lindley Johnson, coordinator of the study of near-Earth objects NASA, said that the fall of this year, scientists have stepped orbiting telescope WISE, which is specifically designed to monitor such asteroids.
«Old-fashioned civil air defense system, rather than the development of advanced space may be the most reliable means of protection against such celestial bodies,” said one of the employees of NASA.
U.S. researchers said Chelyabinsk meteorite was a surprise to astronomers, as he walked out of the sun, and therefore was not detected. Telescopes can discern even a relatively small celestial bodies at a distance, but it may just be too dark to make any conclusions.
«We are lucky. This facility could easily fall into a different place and prchinit significant damage. It was really dangerous, “said NASA astronomer Peter Jenniskens, studying a rare phenomenon -” It was something extraordinary. We’re all just shocked ».
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