Comment on What would happen to the Earth if it got booped by a giant asteroid going super slowly?
ooterness@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Imagine a large rock, suspended by helicopters a few miles up in the air.
Now drop the rock. How fast is it going when it hits the ground?
The same thing is true for a rock falling from space, but more so. Regardless of initial conditions: if it ever contacts the ground, it will be moving at least 11 kilometers per second.
ivanafterall@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Maybe it comes in at such an extreme orbit that it boops without falling straight down?
SGforce@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
It would deflect off the atmosphere like a stone
MyTurtleSwimsUpsideDown@fedia.io 3 weeks ago
Which is worse? Getting hit with bird poop while standing still, or while riding a motorcycle down the highway?
Munkisquisher@lemmy.nz 3 weeks ago
Air resistance would slow it down so it’s falling at 11m/sec, or it would tear it apart