Air burst object estimated at 150 feet, linked to Taurid meteor stream. The Tunguska object was approximately 150 feet (50 meters) in diameter The object was likely a low-density piece that spalled off a comet nucleus, possibly linked to the Taurid meteor stream The object compressed the atmosphere ahead of it and exploded at roughly 5 miles (8 km) altitude
The Tunguska object was roughly 150 feet (50 meters) across, likely a low-density fragment from a comet nucleus tied to the Taurid meteor stream. It compressed the atmosphere and detonated about 5 miles up, triggering a 5.0 earthquake and sending shockwaves twice around the globe. Incredible physics in action.
Key Facts
- The Tunguska object was approximately 150 feet (50 meters) in diameter
- The object was likely a low-density piece that spalled off a comet nucleus, possibly linked to the Taurid meteor stream
- The object compressed the atmosphere ahead of it and exploded at roughly 5 miles (8 km) altitude
- The explosion caused a 5.0 magnitude earthquake around the epicenter
- The blast pulse traveled around the world twice and was heard up to 600-800 miles away
- Meteor Crater in Winslow, Arizona was made by a similar-sized (~150 ft) iron meteorite that produced a ground burst
- A low-density object of similar material would need to be about 300m (1,000 ft) to produce a ground impact instead of air burst
Source: A 15 Megaton Explosion Over Siberia and Humanity Forgot! by The Randall Carlson