[Trivial Psychic]

It's a good thing that the meteor came in at such a shallow angle.  If it had come straight down it probably would have broken up just above the earth's surface.  In that event, Chelyabinsk could have looked more like the Tunguska event of 1908.  They're saying that there's currently no way to track objects in the 5 to 15m size that they expect this one was, especially on the sun-side.  The only way I could see the Earth having any advanced warning about such an object would be to set up a massive network of out-facing radar detectors in interlocking orbits, at appropriately astronomical cost.  Even then, the best it could do would be to give perhaps a few hours warning (depending on the altitude the satellites orbit at) to get the hell away from the projected impact area.

In all this, there's also some unconfirmed reports that another bright meteor was detected above the California Bay area Friday night. LINK

And yes, awesome pic Zacam.

[Black Wolf]

So one meteor comes down in Russia, another potentially streaks over the US. If this had happened 30 years ago, it would have been almost certainly the work of a Bond villain trying to initiate WW3.

[Klaustrophobia]

i wonder if anyone caught this with a proper camera.  special effects my ass, we've got a REAL meteor in our movie!

[TwentyPercentCooler]

The Chelyabinsk meteor was absolutely crazy. When the story first broke I thought it was some ridiculous "viral" marketing crap, which says a lot about our wonderful society. It's also a pretty incredible coincidence, happening at a time so close to the asteroid pass.

Also, it's been mentioned...but what is up with the Russians in the videos? Most of them just keep on doing whatever they were doing, like, "Meh, meteor explosion and huge shockwave. No biggie." In a few of them, the secondary shockwaves from the smaller pieces (?) sounded like gunfire. Huge explosion-like sound, gunfire-like sounds. I'd probably run for the hills first and ask questions later.

[Klaustrophobia]

the first video i saw, the thought that went through my mind was "this guy is driving like a complete douche."

[StarSlayer]

This video of it coming in is a must see

For best results I replaced the audio with this.

[watsisname]

Haha, I did like how in the first video the meteor's passage coincides with the radio switching to pumping techno.

[Klaustrophobia]

since the two threads that were actually started about the russian meteor were killed, maybe we can split out from this thread that is about something else (and has NO indication in the title)?

[Dark Hunter]

Also, it's been mentioned...but what is up with the Russians in the videos? Most of them just keep on doing whatever they were doing, like, "Meh, meteor explosion and huge shockwave. No biggie." In a few of them, the secondary shockwaves from the smaller pieces (?) sounded like gunfire. Huge explosion-like sound, gunfire-like sounds. I'd probably run for the hills first and ask questions later.

Russians: "Please. Compared to Tunguska, this is nothing."

[watsisname]

So one meteor comes down in Russia, another potentially streaks over the US. If this had happened 30 years ago, it would have been almost certainly the work of a Bond villain trying to initiate WW3.

Meteors raining from the sky
asteroids grazing closely by
and great comets, too, oh my
look to the skies, can you see the signs?
The end times are nigh, we're all gonna die!

* watsisname runs and hides lest he write more stupid rhymes... AGHHHH

[karajorma]

since the two threads that were actually started about the russian meteor were killed, maybe we can split out from this thread that is about something else (and has NO indication in the title)?

Happy Now?

[Klaustrophobia]

i'm not unhappy [/sheldon cooper]

[watsisname]

Can we shoot Michael Bay at Russian asteroids?

Yes, but we need a backup plan in case Michael Bay is insufficient to scare away the asteroids.  I propose we shoot M. Night Shyamalan at them next.

[karajorma]

Then we'd risk a surprise plot twist.

Uwe Boll would be a better bet. The asteroids would begin to avoid us.

[deathfun]

Oh Director humour

[BengalTiger]

Sometimes I'd use a "Like" button on HLP...

[headdie]

Sometimes I'd use a "Like" button on HLP...

:like:

[Dysko]

The truth about the meteor:

Looks like we'll need Alpha 1's help!
(yes, I know Lucy's "planetary bombardment beams" are canonically blue )

(BTW... hi everybody, I know it's a long time since I have last posted here, but Real Life^TM is a b*tch... I posted that pic on Facebook and Mobius asked me to post it here too)

[Colonol Dekker]

:like:

Y I No see it on Fb?

Add me !!1
facebook.com/dobbsylondon

[deathfun]

I may have stolen that and posted it on facebook myself...