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Greatest Space / Astronomy Hoaxes and Myths of all time.
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Posted By:
Mark-N-Isa
in Midwest USA
Mar 02, 2005
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Interesting read...
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/myths_hoaxes_030325.html
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Comments
Citizen Premier
in spite of public outcry
Member
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Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 | 04:12 PM
Meteors burn up due to friction
This falsehood is often reported by mainstream media, which explains why it never goes away. In fact, a meteor vaporizes due to something called ram pressure. Air in front of an incoming space rock or speck of dust is compressed and heated, like the air in a handheld tire pump.
This I actually did not know, and I used to be a space buff.
An interesting related note, however, is that the loudest sonic boom ever heard by life on Earth occured when the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs hit the atmosphere. |
Chadds Ford Prefect
Member
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Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2005 | 04:20 PM
I thought 'ram pressure' was something the Scots felt when when forced into a shotgun wedding? |
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Note: This thread is located in the Old Forum of the Museum of Hoaxes.
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