500 Hurt as Meteor Plummets to Earth in Russia

The Weather Channel/AP ^ | Published: Feb 15, 2013, 6:43 AM | Jim Heintz

[dfwgator]

TV is pretty much geared towards women, period.....even sporting events, like the Super Bowl, with their halftime shows cater to women, and don’t get me started on the Olympics coverage.

[wastedyears]

It’s an Autobot landing! Where’s Optimus?

You're my favorite FReeper for the rest of the month.

[HollyB]

This is much more interesting than a broken down cruise ship. Although I do care about those who suffered during their trip, there is no comparison to my level of interest between these two stories.

[dfwgator]

"It says: 'Prepare for Megatron'...who the Hell is Megatron???"

[edcoil]

I am surprised N. Korea or Iran are not claiming it is there missile not a meteor.

[P.O.E.]

That would make the claim a bit more reasonable. Maybe not “cops” per se, but security forces.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“We are long overdue for sensible meteor control.”

Actually there should be some thought given to having a capacity to intercept one of these; if technically possible.
Given that a big one could pretty much decimate a large part of a nation.

[Strategerist]

Let us not forget that there could be more companion rocks BEHIND the big rock that will flyby at 17,000 miles, 2PM EST.

This wasn't a "companion rock" it's completely unrelated in an utterly different orbit.

As I always say, the dumbest thing people repeatedly say on FR is "There are no coincidences."

This illustrates that in fact, the world is FILLED with meaningless coincidences.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“We are long overdue for sensible meteor control.”

Actually there should be some thought given to having a capacity to intercept one of these; if technically possible.
Given that a big one could pretty much decimate a large part of a nation.

[pgkdan]

NASA guru says: http://www.foxnews.com/science/2013/02/15/russian-meteor-explosion-not-caused-by-asteroid-flyby-nasa-scientist-says/

Not associated with 2012 DA14 and it was not a sonic boom that caused the damage but the few meters wide Bolide exploding was.

I will take that as definite confirmation that this meteor is asociated with 2012 Da14!

[A'elian' nation]

You’re right. Felix Baumgartner created a sonic boom falling to earth, and he didn’t explode.

http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Video/Felix-Baumgartner-creates-sonic-boom-during-Red-Bull-Stratos-free-fall-021243275160227

[GeronL]

That is interesting. Everyone was paying attention to the asteroid flyby today and didn’t see that one coming.

[ctdonath2]

Take a spin with Google Earth and look for large round structures. They’re out there if you look. Earth gets hammered too, it just cleans up after.

[bgill]

An official from the Interior Ministry told Interfax that three large pieces of meteorite debris had been retrieved in the area and that 10,000 police officers are searching for more.

That's what I'd be doing. Those pieces will sell for quite a bit.

[EBH]

I’m gonna hazard a guess...

The guy with the yellow bag has a detector in it. Levels may low enough or type is not of concern (at least in Russia..LOL).

As I said, “potentially radioactive.”

[AppyPappy]

It sounds like the beginning of War of the Worlds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9T9f3UbGuo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJYnHA2OzfA

[EBH]

This wasn't a "companion rock" it's completely unrelated in an utterly different orbit.

But the question I've been wondering since the rock is gonna pass between the earth and moon...there's a debris tail.

Does the earth orbit pass through the debris tail at some point?

[bgill]

The area around Chelyabinsk is also home to “dozens of defense factories, including nuclear factories and those involved in production of thermonuclear weapons,”

IOW, we may have another Fukushima.

[FReepaholic]

Reportedly a zinc factory in Russia got hit:

[Carry_Okie]

500 Hurt as Meteor Plummets to Earth in Russia

Um, nobody was hurt as the meteor plummets; they were hurt when it stopped.