Astronomical and physical aspects of the Chelyabinsk event (February 15, 2013)

• Published in: Solar system research Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 240 - 254
• Main Authors: Emel’yanenko, V. V., Popova, O. P., Chugai, N. N., Shelyakov, M. A., Pakhomov, Yu. V., Shustov, B. M., Shuvalov, V. V., Biryukov, E. E., Rybnov, Yu. S., Marov, M. Ya, Rykhlova, L. V., Naroenkov, S. A., Kartashova, A. P., Kharlamov, V. A., Trubetskaya, I. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-07-2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Asteroids; Astronomical research; Astronomy; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Astrophysics and Cosmology; Explosions; Meteors & meteorites; Observations and Techniques; Physical properties; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Planetology; Shock waves; Chelyabinsk Russia; Russia; Break Window; Solar System Research; Celestial Body; Shock Wave; Video File
• ISSN: 0038-0946; 1608-3423
• DOI: 10.1134/S0038094613040114

Various observational data including infrasound, seismic, optical (onboard) monitoring, ground video and photo records, and evidence from witnesses of the Chelyabinsk event on February 15, 2013, have been analyzed. The extensive material gathered has provided a base for investigations of the physical properties of the object, the results of which are discussed. A bolide light curve is constructed, which shows a multiplicity of flashes. Estimations of the energy of the meteoroid explosion, which took place in the atmosphere at an altitude of about 23 km, show evidence of the formation of a high-power shock wave equivalent to 300–500 kilotons of TNT. The object diameter corresponding to this energy falls within the range 16–19 m. The trajectory of the meteor is outlined. It is preliminarily concluded that the Chelyabinsk meteorite was a representative the Apollo asteroid family.