02 February 2009

Meteorite hits Akhnoor, Jammu, Kashmir 31JAN09

Meteorite hits Akhnoor

by AZHAR RAFIQIE
Srinagar, Feb 1: A meteorite hit Akhnoor area in Jammu, Saturday night following which many astronomical organizations rushed their teams to study the phenomenon on the spot. The meteorite, according to the locals, descended in the open ground at 11.25 pm. However, it didn’t cause any damage to life or property, owing to its smaller size and low velocity, the locals added.
Many astronomical organizations including Indian Space Research Organization, TATA Institute of Research and the Kashmir University dispatched their teams to the area. One of the experts, who was on the spot, told Greater Kashmir over phone, “The meteorite was not that big in size otherwise it would have caused much damage due to its impact. It can prove more dangerous if its velocity and size is larger. It can cause serious damage and create a huge crater on earth.”
He said that facts would only come to fore after the research would be over. “We are assessing the samples and the impact area. We would be able to come to any conclusion after the research is over,” he added.
Meteorites are the parts of solar system and keep hitting earth. When it enters the atmosphere, impact pressure causes the body to heat-up and emit light, thus forming a fireball, also known as a meteor or shooting star. Most meteorites disintegrate when entering the earth’s atmosphere. However, an estimated 500 meteorites ranging in size from marbles to basketballs or larger do reach the surface each year; only 5 or 6 of these are typically recovered and made known to scientists.
Source: Greater Kashmir News,
SRINAGAR, MONDAY, 6 SAFAR-UL-MUZAFFAR 1430 AH ; MONDAY, FEBRUARY 02, 2009 CE
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=2_2_2009&ItemID=29&cat=21

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