Meteoroid that hit the moon during lunar eclipse was small but packed a big punch

[Shawn Knight]

In brief: Researchers believe that one of the meteoroids that impacted the moon during the most recent lunar eclipse was small in size but came in so fast that it generated a tremendous punch. The crater it left will likely be visible using lunar probes.

One of the first big astrological events of 2019, the Super Blood Wolf Moon lunar eclipse, took place on January 21. Already a somewhat rare occurrence, this particular lunar eclipse provided an unexpected treat as at least two meteoroids impacted the moon during the eclipse, producing visible flashes of light.

Researchers in a paper recently submitted to the journal Icarus estimate that the impact generated the same amount of energy at 0.9 – 1.8 tons of TNT. Further calculations peg the meteoroid’s size at between 30 – 50 cm, or around a foot to a foot and a half in diameter. They believe it could have weighed between 44 to 220 pounds.

That’s not a very large rock to generate that sort of energy (and a flash visible from Earth) until you consider the speed at which the impact occurred – nearly 31,000 miles per hour.

The researchers believe the impact could have left a crater between 22 to 50 feet across that may be visible to prospecting lunar probes.

Lead image via Sinn P. Photography courtesy Shutterstock

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https://www.techspot.com/news/78527-meteoroid-hit-moon-during-lunar-eclipse-small-but.html

 

[Squid Surprise]

I believe it hit the Inhumans base.... Was it the government?

 

[Vulcanproject]

When kinetic energy squares with speed a 12 inch diameter 50kg dumb mass moving that quickly is as good as a bomb.

The impact reminded me of old cold war plans to weaponize space with nothing more than utility poles made out of tungsten (very heavy and highly heat resistant) de-orbited onto the target of choice. As good as a MOAB, but virtually impossible to stop.

 

[Uncle Al]

We've now been upgraded from Super Moon to Super Duper Moon!

 

[QuantumPhysics]

#1 In space, it's nothing for an object to be moving at 31,000 mph.
No air equals no wind resistance equals unbelievably high speeds.
Objects entering Earth's atmosphere slow down from over 20,000 mph and burn up.

#2 Our solar system is basically a shooting gallery with someone blindfolded doing the shooting.

I read that the object was around 22 pounds and the size of a bowling ball.

 

[Dale Bryant]

Please refrain from referring to astronomical events as "astrological". One is science; the other, pseudoscience.

 

[JaredTheDragon]

Please refrain from referring to astronomical events as "astrological". One is science; the other, pseudoscience.

Astronomical = related to the naming of stars
Astrological = related to the study of stars

Nom = name, classify
Log = study, index, analysis

Sorry about your education but you're wrong here. The connotation that astrology = horoscopes is a false one, and it's high time everyone just accepted what words mean instead of redefining them constantly to suit an agenda. Yes, horoscopes are stupid and non-science, but astrology is the science and study, not astronomy.

We don't call is "cosmonomy" for the same reason, it's "cosmology". The study of the cosmos, which already has a name: the cosmos.

 

[wiyosaya]

Please refrain from referring to astronomical events as "astrological". One is science; the other, pseudoscience.

Astronomical = related to the naming of stars
Astrological = related to the study of stars

Nom = name, classify
Log = study, index, analysis

Sorry about your education but you're wrong here. The connotation that astrology = horoscopes is a false one, and it's high time everyone just accepted what words mean instead of redefining them constantly to suit an agenda. Yes, horoscopes are stupid and non-science, but astrology is the science and study, not astronomy.

We don't call is "cosmonomy" for the same reason, it's "cosmology". The study of the cosmos, which already has a name: the cosmos.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrology
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/astrological