the first fragments of the meteorite that fell in russia gives clues about the space rock foto
Published on February 18th, 2013
0The first fragments of the meteorite that fell in Russia gives clues about the space rock (FOTO)
Russian Scientists announced today that they have discovered fragments of the meteorite that crashed Friday over the Urals in Russia, causing a shock wave that led to 1,200 people injured and caused damage to thousands of homes.
Meteorite exploded a few tens of kilometers above the Earth, the pieces are scattered around the city center Chelyabinsk in Russia. Experts say that the meteorite had an explosive force of at least 20 times higher than the nuclear bomb used in the Second World War over Hiroshima, but Earth atmosphere has absorbed most of the energy.
Divers who jumped in a lake in the region which is believed to host some of meteorite failed to identify any element of meteorite from the first mission.
However, members of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducted chemical tests on some unusual rocks found near the lake and concluded that they are not from our planet.
“We can confirm that the particles of substances discovered during an expedition near Lake Cherbakul have indeed a meteorite composition,” said Viktor Grokhovsky, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, for RIA Novosti.
Researcher announced on the website of Ural Federal University that ” meteorite belongs to the ordinary class of chondrite“. Grokhovsky states that consisted partly of iron meteorite metal and sulphide chrysotile. Of meteorite iron content was estimated at 10%.
“Most likely, the meteorite will be called Chebarkul” reads the announcement at the Russian University.
Hunting for meteorites have posted ads on Russian sites offering up to 300,000 rubles ($ 10,000) for authentic meteorite fragments that fell Friday in Russia.
Chelyabinsk authorities have limited access to Lake Chebarkul and have not allowed journalists and independent researchers around the hole created in the thick layer of ice covering the lake.
Grokhovsky announced that his team found little rock and another 50 samples were found in the snow, a short distance from the lake. The researcher is convinced that a much larger fragment found in lake waters, although authorities announced they found nothing in the lake.
“The lake is still surrounded by police, it is quite clear that the meteorite is buried there”, said the researcher.
“Since I found these fragments coming from the top layer of meteorite, this means that the main element is in the lake,” said scientist Interfax agency.
Grokhovsky explained that his team had not acted on the orders of the Russian government, but decided to act on their own, because such an event is extremely rare.
“We decided to do it themselves. As a member of the Russian Academy, I could not stay away, so we decided to send our team on the ground”, said the specialist.
Source: AFP
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