Causes and consequences of the fall of the meteorite Chelyabinsk

The explosion of a large meteoroid in the Chelyabinsk region and Western Siberia have suffered, according to various estimates, from 100 to 400 people
 
Most of the victims have not received serious injuries: cuts, mostly fragments of broken glass houses.

The fall of celestial bodies at the same time took place in several regions of the Urals, the Volga region and Kazakhstan. Even before the official communications media in social networks began to appear eyewitness video from mobile phones and car DVR, which can be seen as a short distance from the earth goes through the fireball, leaving a white trail. We hear the sound of breaking glass and triggered the explosion of car alarms.

Debris meteoroid covered quite a large area: the fall of space bodies and fiery flare observed in Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Kurgan, Orenburg and Magnitogorsk; one of the wreckage fell into the lake Chebarkul in the Chelyabinsk region. Discontinued activities of several schools and factories in Chelyabinsk, evacuated the students of South Ural University.

The most serious damage was zinc plant in the Chelyabinsk region. The meteorite fell on the plant itself, but the blast had destroyed about a third concentrates warehouse wall, roof and damaged several buildings of the plant burst glass.

In addition, it suffered from the effects of several branches of the Chelyabinsk-mail. Glass and window frames were knocked out by the blast, doors, walls and ceilings got all sorts of damage.

Media reported BBC, in an emergency preparedness lists approximately 20,000 rescue workers; Aerial conducted a thorough examination of the territories subject to the meteoroid.

Rescuers do not imply continuation of falling debris, but the locals are worried. It is noted the presence in the air smell like gunpowder, some complain of a metallic taste in the mouth. General Directorate of Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Chelyabinsk region says that, if necessary, the affected residents will receive financial compensation for any damage.

Even before the events of Chelyabinsk, Tyumen and Yekaterinburg were reports that in the sky there are outbreaks of unknown origin. In Yekaterinburg, we saw a fiery object falling within the outskirts of the city. Tyumen Residents also told about the burning of spherical objects in the sky.

General Directorate of Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Chelyabinsk region said "Russian service of BBC» about what happened the explosion of unknown origin. The customer service representative said that the explosion occurred at an altitude of a few kilometers.

On the territory of Chelyabinsk, Tyumen, Sverdlovsk and neighboring areas observed minor violations in the work of mobile networks, but the electricity and other sectors of posts are operating normally.

The ministry reported that they suffered no shuttle or cargo ship aviation system is operating normally.

Scientists are trying to answer the question of what caused this phenomenon and how it can be prevented. Some experts say that the meteoric space objects that had fallen to Earth this morning, could be fragments of the asteroid 2012 DA14, which is expected to pass by Earth at a record close. 2012 DA14 has an approximate size of a hockey arena, a space object is moving at a speed of 7, 8 kilometers per second.

Researchers from NASA say that asteroids like 2012 DA14, are at a relatively close distance from the Earth about every 40 years, and the interaction with the planet - a rarity: it does not happen more often than once in 1,200 years.

Some scientists have expressed concern that the consequences of the event may be the emergence of a new ozone hole in the atmosphere of our planet. Astrophysicist Zamozdra Sergei says that according to his calculations, the explosion of the meteoroid occurred at a distance of 50 kilometers from the Earth, as measured by the rate of approximation of shock waves. Scientists hope that in the area of ​​Miass can find himself and meteorite crater. The most important and obvious consequence of the researcher considers the formation of the ozone hole, which means greater exposure to solar radiation in the region. However Zamozdra said that radiation from the meteorite itself should not be afraid, as the majority of meteorites are not radioactive.

The scientist says that predict the location of a meteorite was very difficult. In these calculations desynchronization usually at least 500 kilometers. Astrophysicist emphasizes that the Earth each year falling space objects, but a body with a power flash - event of 30-40 years.

An asteroid like 2012 DA14, is not capable of much harm to the planet, but it can cause significant damage to the city and the living beings.