The Tunguska Event--100 Years Later

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Trees felled by the Tunguska explosion. Credit: the Leonid Kulik Expedition.
Trees felled by the Tunguska explosion. Credit: the Leonid Kulik Expedition.

The year is 1908, and it's just after seven in the morning. A man is sitting on the front porch of a trading post at Vanavara in Siberia. Little does he know, in a few moments, he will be hurled from his chair and the heat will be so intense he will feel as though his shirt is on fire.


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All News summaries from Space & Earth science news
All News summaries for July 01, 2008

Deadlines set for designating polar bear habitat

3 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- The federal government will designate "critical habitat" for polar bears off Alaska's coast, a decision that could add restrictions to future offshore petroleum exploration or drilling.

Small asteroid headed for light show over Africa

3 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
(AP) -- A small asteroid was headed for a fiery but harmless dive into Earth's atmosphere early Tuesday morning over Africa, astronomers said in a first of its kind advance warning.

Cassini flyby of Saturn moon offers insight into solar system history

5 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
NASA's Cassini spacecraft is scheduled to fly within 16 miles of Saturn's moon Enceladus on Oct. 9 and measure molecules in its space environment that could give insight into the history of the solar system.

NASA study finds rising Arctic storm activity sways sea ice, climate

Oct 06, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
A new NASA study shows that the rising frequency and intensity of arctic storms over the last half century, attributed to progressively warmer waters, directly provoked acceleration of the rate of arctic sea ice drift, long ...

Lichens function as indicators of nitrogen pollution in forests

Oct 06, 2008 | User rating: not rated yet
Scientists have found lichens can give insight into nitrogen air pollution effects on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems, and protecting them provides safeguards for less sensitive species.