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swampwiz
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I understand that there are a few of these still out there that have basically become Earth-crossing asteroids. It would seem that they wouldn't be as bright as the recent Chelyabinsk meteor.
How bright of a bolide would a Saturn IV-B stage be if it hit Earth
swampwiz said:It would seem that they wouldn't be as bright as the recent Chelyabinsk meteor.
Not by my reckoning. The mass of the meteorite )Wikipedia) is estimated at 14,000 tons. The empty mass of the S IVB is less than 15 tons . ...davenn said:Well, they are of similar size and mass, so it would be interesting to see what they looked like in comparison
hutchphd said:The mass of the meteorite )Wikipedia) is estimated at 14,000 tons
Ah, I should have taken that into account. It wouldn't be much at all - perhaps not even strong enough to be a bolide. And of course, Skylab was about the same sizehutchphd said:Not by my reckoning. The mass of the meteorite )Wikipedia) is estimated at 14,000 tons. The empty mass of the S IVB is less than 15 tons . ...
The brightness of a Saturn IV-B stage would depend on various factors such as its size, composition, and speed at impact. However, it is estimated that it would produce a flash of light similar to a nuclear bomb explosion.
A bolide is a large meteor that explodes in the Earth's atmosphere, creating a bright flash of light. It is also known as a fireball or shooting star.
Yes, a Saturn IV-B stage hitting Earth would cause significant damage. The impact would create a large explosion, releasing a tremendous amount of energy, and potentially causing destruction in the surrounding area.
Bolides hit Earth quite frequently, but most of them are small and go unnoticed. It is estimated that around 500 meteorites reach the Earth's surface each year, with most of them being the size of a pebble.
Yes, scientists can predict if a bolide will hit Earth by tracking their trajectory and using advanced technologies such as telescopes and radar. However, predicting the exact location and time of impact is challenging, and it is usually only possible a few hours or days in advance.