The Chelyabinsk meteor was a superbolide that entered Earth's atmosphere over Russia on February 15, 2013. It caused significant damage and injuries due to its explosive energy release in the atmosphere.
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The Chelyabinsk meteor explosion released energy equivalent to approximately 470-500 kilotons of TNT.
It injured around 1,500 people, mostly due to broken glass from windows shattered by the shockwave.
The meteoroid was estimated to be about 20 meters in diameter before it entered Earth's atmosphere.
Chelyabinsk is one of the most well-documented meteor events in history due to widespread video footage.
The event highlighted the need for improved monitoring of near-Earth objects (NEOs).
Review Questions
What was the estimated diameter of the Chelyabinsk meteoroid before entering Earth's atmosphere?
How many people were injured as a result of the Chelyabinsk meteor explosion?
What did the Chelyabinsk event highlight regarding near-Earth objects?
Related terms
Tunguska Event: A massive explosion that occurred in Siberia in 1908, believed to have been caused by an air burst from a comet or asteroid.
Near-Earth Object (NEO): An asteroid or comet with an orbit that brings it into or through a zone between approximately 91 million and 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) from the Sun.
Meteorite: A fragment of rock or iron from outer space that survives passage through Earth’s atmosphere and lands on Earth’s surface.