[meteorite-list] What Happens When Meteors Hit the Earth?

From: Shawn Alan <shawnalan_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2015 15:54:55 -0700
Message-ID: <20150129155455.e8713c95af9984a493c5db01816d4c10.3b38036433.wbe_at_email22.secureserver.net>

Hello Listers

Well if a meteorite fell by me, I would pick it up :)

Enjoy

Shawn Alan
IMCA 1633
ebay store http://www.ebay.com/sch/imca1633ny/m.html
Website http://meteoritefalls.com


What Happens When Meteors Hit the Earth? Excerpt from Meteorites by
Ronnie McKenzie

Namibiana Buchdepot has shared an excerpt from Meteorites: A Southern
African Perspective by Ronnie McKenzie, a comprehensive yet
straightforward guide to meteorites for anyone interested in this
far-reaching topic.

In the excerpt, McKenzie explains what happens to meteors that appear to
be heading towards the earth but never enter the atmosphere, and what
happens when they actually do hit the surface.

?If the observer does not hear any noise at all, then the meteor has
either not landed, or the point of impact is too far away, despite the
impression that it must have been just over the next hill,? McKenzie
writes, disclosing details about the speed and debris of meteor showers.

Read the short excerpt to learn more about this interesting phenomenon:


Although they appear to be heading downwards, they may, in reality, be
120 km or more above the ground and passing over the horizon, possibly
without dropping in altitude at all. Such meteors simply start to burn
up, in many cases forming spectacular fireballs, but they do not explode
or ever come close to landing on Earth. After a display lasting perhaps
just a few seconds, they travel back out into space, never to be seen
again. If a meteor does in fact hit the surface of the Earth or if it
explodes above the surface, it creates a significant noise either from
the impact itself or from the associated shock wave. In both cases, the
noise from the sonic boom can be heard and/ or felt more than 100 km
away.
?Keep reading: Namibiana Buchdepot

Book details
?Meteorites: A Southern African Perspective by Ronnie McKenzie
Book homepage
 EAN: 9781775840985
Find this book with BOOK Finder!

source:
http://struiknature.bookslive.co.za/blog/2015/01/29/what-happens-when-meteors-hit-the-earth-excerpt-from-meteorites-by-ronnie-mckenzie/
Received on Thu 29 Jan 2015 05:54:55 PM PST