'Meteorite' spotted over Ireland..... (Major Fireball)

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0203/meteorite.html ^ | Feb 3rd, 2010

[TaraP]

Astronomy Ireland says a major fireball was spotted over Ireland at around 6pm this evening.

It says the rock from space was seen blazing in the air by people all over the country and would have been travelling with the force of a small nuclear weapon.

Astronomy Ireland says there is a very good chance it has landed inland, but it is unlikely to have injured anyone.

It is not clear yet where it might have landed because the fireball was spotted by people all over the country.

While it would have been travelling at high speed when it was spotted, the rock would have slowed down when it hit the atmosphere.

The fireball could have been as large as a desk.

Valentia Coastguard said it has had reports of sightings from people living in Mullingar, Limerick, Ballybunion and Bantry.

[mountainlion]

Meteorite after it hits the ground. Meteror in the air. Did this thing hit the ground and go back into the air?

[njslim]

The “DAVY CROCKETT” recoiless nuclear launcher has warhead
yields of either 10 or 20 tons (nominal)

[conservativeharleyguy]

I don’t want to be the “Language Police” but....

A “Meteor” is the object (the chunk of rock that falls from the sky).

“Meteorite” is the geological name for the material (type of rock) of which that object is composed.

[17th Miss Regt]

Pssst! You forgot:

Women and minorities hurt worst!

[My Favorite Headache]

Yeah that made no sense to me as well.

[TaraP]

I trying to find out more info on this..Will post when warranted....

[ZX12R]

Did this thing hit the ground and go back into the air?

I don't know...but Ireland is doomed regardless.

[Star Traveler]

If people only knew and realized how much we’re being “pummeled” by these rocks and particles from outer space (and have been continuously for as long as we’ve been on this earth) — they might be somewhat scared.

But, ignorance is bliss, in most people’s minds, even though we’ve been pummeled like this for centuries and centuries... :-)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #13....outstanding pictures.

[Procyon]

But by the time it it the ground it would have slowed to less than 500 miles per hour (1/50 of 80 tonnes of TNT = 1.6 tonnes of TNT. Historically, the smallest yield from a nuclear explosion (a tactical nuclear artillery shell) was 55 tonnes TNT equivalent. So this hyperbole is 50 times exaggerated.

[Fiddlstix]

Click the Pic

[Izzy Dunne]

Wrong.

A meteoroid is a piece of debris in space.

A meteor is the path it takes as it travels through the atmosphere.

A meteorite is a meteor that survives the trip and hits the ground.

[KarlInOhio]

The “DAVY CROCKETT” recoiless nuclear launcher has warhead yields of either 10 or 20 tons (nominal)

Too bad my local military surplus shop closed. I might have picked one or two up if they were still in stock..

Of course you have to remember to duck after launching it.

[mountainlion]

I don’t know...but Ireland is doomed regardless

Oh My, I am partly Irish so I am partly doomed.

[tubebender]

Was the return address from Iran?

[GonzoGOP]

Not even in the "small" nuclear weapon energy.

There is some additional energy released. As the rock vaporizes the rock vapor (yes it is that hot) will flash combust like a fuel air explosive. Very cool, but something as small as a desk still wouldn't have done a nuke sized blast. Get one the size of a minivan and you can have some serious fun.

Now the big nickel iron jobs don't always break up and vaporize. They can get a shock wave of plasma around them and punch right through the atmosphere. Less blast effect but you end up with a cool crater.

On the up side the debris is worth more pound for pound than gold so I hope the locals have their metal detectors out.

[Star Traveler]

The Barringer Crater, near Winslow, Arizona, was created by a rock about 30 feet across... hoo-boy! :-)

That's almost a mile across...

[TaraP]

I guess we just never heard about them as much 10 yrs ago?

But they seem like alot are raining down..
This is a good photo of one
http://www.space.com/common/media/video/player.php?videoRef=081024_Fireball&mode=

Then their was the Meteorite that was seen by many people last Nov, all over the state of Utah.

[ZX12R]

Oh My, I am partly Irish so I am partly doomed.

Oh yes, my calculations indicate you are approximately 28.5 percent doomed.

[Star Traveler]

You were saying ...

A meteoroid is a piece of debris in space.

A meteor is the path it takes as it travels through the atmosphere.

A meteorite is a meteor that survives the trip and hits the ground.

You are absolutley correct... :-)