NASA supercomputer has created a model of entry of the Chelyabinsk meteorite
NEW YORK, June 29. /TASS/. A computer model of the processes encountered when entering the Earth’s atmosphere, the Chelyabinsk meteorite in February 2013, presented on Thursday, specialists of the Ames Research center in Silicon valley, California.
“A group of NASA experts were able to create a scale model of the processes that occurred during the entry of the Chelyabinsk meteorite on a supercomputer “Pleiades” (Pleiades — approx. TASS), in order to study different variants of falling of the heavenly bodies, — said the press service of NASA. In particular, it was possible to simulate the aerodynamic processes that occur upon softening of the meteoritic substance under the influence of high temperatures and the decay of the meteorite”.
Chelyabinsk meteorite with a diameter of about 17 meters and weighing up to 10 tons 15 Feb 2013 entered the atmosphere at about 18 km per second and exploded at an altitude of 15-25 km in the vicinity of Chelyabinsk. The fall of the meteorite was accompanied by the propagation of shock waves at a distance of about 90 kilometers.
A NASA study published on the eve of celebrating June 30 — the day of the fall of the Tunguska meteorite in 1908 — the International day of the asteroid. The idea to celebrate the Day of the asteroid originated from astrophysics Brian may and Gregory Richters, Director of sci-Fi movie 51 degrees Nortn (51 degrees) on the impact of the strike on London. They were supported by the astronomer Lord Martin Rees, U.S. astronauts to Grow Sweikart and ed Lu. The initiators of the campaign produced a Declaration which called for the use of technology to track asteroids near Earth.
6 Dec 2016 71st session of the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming June 30 as the International day of the asteroid, in order to attract world attention to the threat from space.