Re: Impactor grazing miss...

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Johnny1A wrote:
> 
> The disastrous effects of large impactors have been discussed on this
> ng many times, but in theory, an impactor of modest size could
> penetrate Earth's atmosphere on a grazing path and still _miss_,
> momentarily in the atmosphere but not striking the planetary surface
> (either land or sea).
> 
> What are the differences going to be?  There would still (I assume) be
> 'tubal heating', and the shockwaves could be impressive.  How hard
> would it be for an impactor (or near-impactor, in this case) to
> penetrate the atmosphere sufficiently to cause major effects, and
> still miss the planet?
> 

        Some think this is what happened at Tunguska.
        Your estimation of the odds is as good as mine, but
        they will be small.
        The differences are going to be in aerosols and cratering.
        
<fwiw>
-het


PS.
        http://www-th.bo.infn.it/tunguska/



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