Impact Event in the Russian Urals near Chelyabinsk
A meteorite exploded and impacted just west of the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, blowing out windows throughout the city and causing an impact crater about six meters (20 feet) in diameter. There was also apparently structural damage caused to a zinc factory as well when a small fragment struck it.
Russia’s Urals region has been rocked by a meteorite explosion in the stratosphere. The impact wave damaged several buildings, and blew out thousands of windows amid frigid winter weather. Hundreds are seeking medical attention for minor injuries.
Russian space agency Roskosmos has confirmed the object that crashed in the Chelyabinsk region is a meteorite: “According to preliminary estimates, this space object is of non-technogenic origin and qualifies as a meteorite. It was moving at a low trajectory with a speed of about 30 km/s (67,000 MPH).”
According to scientists, the object detonated in the stratosphere, producing a rain of smaller fragments. It is not related to Asteroid 2012 DA14, according to scientists.
