Chelyabinsk - the largest city of Russia, scientific, industrial and cultural center of the Urals.It is a city of working people celebrated their industrial power and industrial records.But February 15, 2013 the city has become famous all over the world after a meteorite fell in the Chelyabinsk.
What really happened?
at approximately 9:30 local time, not only the residents of Chelyabinsk, but also in remote areas have seen rapid flight in the sky glowing unidentified object, which dragged behind a powerful jet trail.Then the shock waves, which brought a lot of destruction, which affected more than 1,500 residents.
The city declared a state of emergency, to the alleged crash site of an unknown body force sent Emergencies Ministry, soldiers, police said.There also moved scholars and curious.Each channel of the Russian mass media sent to the scene of their reporters all wanted to take pictures and fragments of a celestial body.
This event shocked not only the local residents.Concerned about NASA, the European Space Agency.Event interested astronomers the Czech Republic, Sweden, France, UK, Canada and America.It's been a year, but the truth of the Chelyabinsk meteorite continues to disturb both the population and scientific minds.
restoring the chronicle of events
Winter morning began as usual.People went to work, identifying children at schools and kindergartens, the students went to study.
in the sky at 9:23 Chelyabinsk residents noticed a strange and unusual flash band, both on a jet plane.A few minutes later everyone felt tremors soil shook the entire Chelyabinsk.The explosion of the meteorite caused a shock wave that swept in a radius of several kilometers.Knocked down trees, buildings flew glass, the alarm went off machines at zinc plant demolished wall.
guesses and the truth
were different versions of the phenomenon, sometimes fantastic.Someone decided that it was the enemy missiles, some assumed airplane crash, there were those who believed in an attack on a planet of aliens.
In fact on the ground near the city of Chelyabinsk, a large meteorite fell, the second largest after the Tunguska meteorite that fell in eastern Siberia in June 1908.
February 2013 - "cosmic guest" entered the planet's atmosphere at an acute angle of approximately 20 °.According to experts at a height of about 20-25 km a meteorite split apart.Fragments with great speed hit the ground.
physical characteristics of "guest from space»
According to experts, including specialists NASA meteorite in Chelyabinsk was the weight of 10 tons and a diameter of at least 17 meters, entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 18 km / h.
Flight meteorite after the entry into our atmosphere did not last more than 40 seconds.Cosmic body began to explode at an altitude of 20 kilometers.The explosion capacity of approximately 470 kilotons (this is 30 times more than in a bomb blast in Hiroshima) have formed numerous fragments and pieces that quickly crashed into the Chelyabinsk ground.The bright light from the fall was seen at long distances.It was observed in Kurgan, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen region, Kazakhstan and Bashkortostan.The furthest point where there were traces of a meteorite flying - Samara region, located 750 km from Chelyabinsk.
consequences of the fall of the meteorite
In the fall of a meteorite in Chelyabinsk caused a series of shock waves.The city had felled many trees, damaged about 3,000 houses and buildings.In many homes, the shock wave povybivalo glass, while the connection was lost.The biggest shock came in Satka district.It was partially destroyed by the zinc plant.
many wondered where the meteorite fell in the Chelyabinsk and how dangerous it is.The city was declared an emergency, all units Emergency Situations Ministry were sent to the scene.Conduct interviews with the people, suppressed panic, and tried to keep the situation under control.
addition Chelyabinsk region suffered following areas: Korkino, Emanzhelinsk, Yuzhnouralsk, Kopeysk and Etkul village.
Scientists estimate that if a meteor exploded in the 5-6 km downstream, the consequences would have been much sadder.
place fall
Each celestial body is of great interest from a scientific point of view.To study the nature of the origin of the meteorite, its chemical composition, it was necessary to find the largest possible number of fragments and pieces of the celestial body.To do this, it was important to establish the exact location of a meteorite in Chelyabinsk.
two main parts were quickly found in the Chebarkul area.In Zlatoust district found three main splinter.But the fourth had to look.It was believed that he fell in the Lake Chebarkul.Local residents who fished this morning on the lake fishing, confirmed that the space rock was, and fell into the lake.Witnesses said that the attack caused a huge wave.The water rose to 3-4 meters.
Select title
After the fall of the meteorite was proposed two variants of its name - or Chebarkul Chelyabinsk.In favor of the first name was argued that the main chip fell into the lake Chebarkul near the settlement of Chebarkul.However, proponents of the name of "Chelyabinsk" said that the meteorite has brought the greatest destruction of the regional center.As revenge, he should get the name of Chelyabinsk.
Academician E. Galimov - head of the Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Vernadsky - announced that a meteorite will be submitted to the International directory called "Chelyabinsk".
pieces of the meteorite collection
Locations fall found hundreds of small debris.In the search were sent special expeditions.Just near the lake Chebarkul harvested three kilograms of meteoric stones.The search lasted more than six months.In August came the news that a local resident found a piece of 3.5 kg near the village Timiryazevskiy.
But the biggest interest was a huge chip that had fallen into the lake.Its weight according to preliminary estimates is 300-400 kg, he went deep in the bottom mud.His uplifting local authorities have allocated 3 million rubles.
huge piece in August 2013 has been removed from the lake bottom.His weight was found to be 600 kg.After the examination, the scientists and the verdict of radioactive and chemical safety meteorite fragment was transferred to the local museum.
mineral composition
later, the researchers explained how a meteorite fell in the Chelyabinsk.The space object is an ordinary chondrite.It comprises detected olivine, iron sulfites, pyrites and other magnetic mineral complex.Chelyabinsk meteorite contains traces of titaniferous iron ore and disseminated native copper, which is unusual for chondrites.Cracks are filled with vitreous body with a mixture of silicates.The thickness of the fusion crust - 1 mm.
The researchers found that the age of the mother's body, which broke off a piece, which later became the Chelyabinsk meteorite, at least 4 billion (!) Years."Our" piece to fall to Earth some time wandering in space, colliding with other celestial bodies ...
Scary?Anxious ...
Scientists around the world to this day, with diligence study the material presented.Many knowledgeable experts have suggested that this is not just a meteorite, and a harbinger of the asteroid.Some even believed that in a short time on Earth will come a large asteroid, and then the destruction would be disastrous.But Anatoly Zaitsev, director of the "Center for planetary defense of the Earth from asteroids," explained that this is only a theory.He assured that the population of the planet is not threatened, and celestial bodies, flew past, closely watched.
life after the fall of the meteorite
meteorite that fell in Chelyabinsk, drew the attention of the masses, it caused a lot of debate and conjecture.Talk and talk about events do not cease to this day.City near the lake Chebarkul became known worldwide.It went to the scientists: geochemistry, physics and astronomy.Everyone wanted to witness with their own eyes the messenger with cosmic distances.
fall of the meteorite in Chelyabinsk became profitable in terms of tourism.Owner of the largest travel agencies Andrei Orlov said that shortly after the event began to receive calls from America and Japan.Someone wanted a personal tour, many would like to organize a group trip to the crash site of the famous meteorite.
Demand creates the invitation, which is why all the guides added to the significant position of the Chelyabinsk region and a zone called "Chebarkul meteorite."Price hike to the now historic lake varies from 5 000 to 20 000 rubles.
No silver lining: at the official level
Chelyabinsk authorities with the help of event 15.02.2013 year decided to enter into the history of the Olympic Games.They created several medals of precious metal with an insert of a meteorite.This award received by each athlete who takes the prize in the competition held by it on February 15.All that will remain unused of the found fragments disperse Russian museums and private collections.
were collected some very large exhibits and prepared relevant documentation.With this material it will be made a tour of the museums of the Russian Federation.Every citizen of the country should see a piece of the meteorite.In Moscow, there was a demonstration of 01.17.2014 year.Many materials will add to the collection of the famous Moscow planetarium.This event developed several themed stands and posters.
Birth brands
While rescuers shoveled consequences of the disaster, which has done a meteorite that fell in Chelyabinsk, many entrepreneurs do not lose time in vain, and actively used the fall of a celestial body for commercial purposes.An excellent response in this area excelled Andrei Orlov, Mayor Chebarkul urban district.Here, with his light hand was held a contest for the most interesting brand name.The winner of a prize promised a piece of meteorite.Under interesting names such as "Chebarkul meteor" "meteor Ural", "Chelyabinsk - the capital of the meteorite" "meteorite in Chelyabinsk" and "Che!", Were produced pastries and drinks.
Strike while the iron is hot
various companies began to make clothes with the corresponding prints, mugs, plates and even puzzles.First local and then the inhabitants of the whole of Russia became popular shirts with humorous inscription: "Nothing is so exhilarating as the meteorite in the morning!"It is worth noting a very original idea Chelyabinsk perfume company.She decided to create unusual perfume called "Chebarkul meteorite."Perfumers say the flavor of this "space object" would include components of stone and metal.
Ordinary residents of the Urals is also shown entrepreneurial spirit.His work has made a meteorite in Chelyabinsk.Picture it flew with great speed on the Internet.Thousands of requests per minute showed how many there who want to see the crash site itself celestial object.One resourceful residents of the Urals town sold on the market of Internet-space microwave, which burned under the influence of the shock wave.I bought this strange thing unknown American, but this acquisition has asked to send a couple of local newspapers with news about the fall of the meteorite in Chelyabinsk.Some of the exhibited pieces of glass that are scattered by the explosion in the fall.And all these things strange collectors snapped up.Especially prized pieces of the meteorite itself.Lowest price over the Shard began 10 000, the highest was 10 000 000 rubles.Police faced with natural crooks who were given ordinary stones for celestial objects.
«Healing" properties meteorite
hundreds of residents came to the lake Chebarkul and dreamed of finding not only expensive stone, and "healing."Charlatans - magicians and sorcerers - with such fragments to remove damage and treated by the most terrible diseases, cast out evil spirits.Invents whole legends and myths about the impact of "cosmic guest" per person depending on the sign of the zodiac.And how many charms with a piece of the body has spread all over the world!Meteorites simply attributed magical properties, but in reality no healing power, he does not possess.
Interesting facts about the fall of the meteorite Chelyabinsk
Chelyabinsk meteorite fell, which caused quite a stir throughout the world.Scientists were able to re-examine the outer body, and someone just good money at this event.It is worth noting some interesting points and facts about the Chelyabinsk meteorite:
- The largest piece of the meteorite fell to the bottom of the lake Chebarkul.
- Russian Emergency Situations Ministry argued that informed residents about the upcoming event with the help of SMS-mailing, but it was a lie.
- Many TV channels showed no crater of a meteorite, and the gas crater in Turkmenistan.
- Many residents of Chelyabinsk specifically smash their windows, mimicking the effects of the blast wave.They wanted to get a new plastic windows from the state as a material assistance to the victims.
- diameter of the crater from a meteorite was 6 meters.
- 470 kilotons of energy released in the explosion of a celestial body.
- Scientists estimate that the value of a meteorite falls to Earth once every hundred years.
- believed meteorite go unnoticed because that flew out of the sun.That is why telescopes have not detected the approaching celestial body.
