[meteorite-list] Astronomer Apologizes for Meteorite Fuss in Norway

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1353224.ece

Astronomer apologizes for meteorite fuss
Aftenpoften (Norway)
June 15, 2006

A professor at the Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics at the
University of Oslo has issued an editorial apology for what he called
"exaggerated explosive force" linked to reports of the recent meteorite
strike in Norway.

The story of the meteorite impact in northern Norway made international
headlines, no doubt due to the comparison with the force of the atom
bomb detonated over Hiroshima.

In an editorial at Norwegian science news site forskning.no, Professor
Kaare Aksnes said it was regrettable that this comparison had been made,
and that it was extremely exaggerated. Aksnes also said it was
regrettable that the statement had apparently emanated from the Institute.

Aksnes goes on to explain that a meteor capable of a Hiroshima-like
impact would almost completely burn up as it entered Earth's atmosphere,
and that the remnants would hit the earth far too slowly - though
impacts of that intensity have of course occurred. He estimates the
North Troms impact to have been comparable to "a powerful conventional
bomb".

The original reactions to the witness reports of the meteor, also
reported on forskning.no, are attributed to popular astronomer Knut
Jørgen Røed Ødegaard, and were slightly guarded and very excited. Røed
Ødegaard wrote the original report about the meteorite on the
Institute's web site.

"We cannot be completely sure, but the light and sound phenomena were
exceptional. It indicates that there has been a great deal of energy
involved," Røed Ødegaard said then.

Seismic research center NORSAR registered powerful sound phenomena at
their Karasjok measuring station, as well as seismic disturbances.

"We have run out of words for how exciting this is," Røed Ødegaard said
at the time.

"There is midnight sun in the area and objects in the sky must therefore
shine very strongly to be visible at all. The object is descried as a
reddish ball of fire and lit up like a powerful flash. The brightness
must have been exceptional," Røed Ødegaard said.