[meteorite-list] Tunguska Event

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 10:32:48 2004
Message-ID: <200403100136.RAA15304_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

> As I mentioned initially, it is a rather bizarre theory,

I haven't heard of that theory.

>but the lack
>of impact fragments (which could also support the comet theory)

Dust grains were discovered in the tree sap in the area.
Analysis of the grains showed they were chondritic material.
That is enough evidence to show an object did enter the
atmosphere and explode, but it doesn't resolve whether
the object is an asteroid or a comet. I wouldn't be
surprised if a comet is composed of stony chondrite material.
We'll get a much better idea when Stardust returns its
comet samples in 2006.

Ron Baalke
Received on Tue 09 Mar 2004 08:36:10 PM PST