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Meteor Over Midwest

Posted by michael on from the fahrvergnuegen dept.

bigpat writes "According to this story in the Chicago Tribune or this article, a meteor estimated to be the size of a 'Volkswagen bug' exploded over the Midwest around midnight yesterday morning. The resulting small meteorites hit homes causing some damage. The largest meteorite collected was 7.5 pounds. So why do astronomers always compare the size of meteors to Volkswagen bugs?"

4 of 509 comments (clear)

  1. VWs are popular by Rinikusu · · Score: 4, Informative

    Because there are probably more VW's on the road in just about any country you can imagine. Tell someone something was the size of a VW Bug and an image instantly comes to mind (not to mention that being an highly "odd" shape, it helps me conjure an irregular surfaced object). For example "It was the size of a VW bug" as opposed to "It was an irregular object approximately 2 meters by 5 meters by 2 meters", which is more helpful to the average person, even someone in the science fields?

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    If you were me, you'd be good lookin'. - six string samurai
  2. Pictures of it by alien88 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Nbc 5 has some nice pictures of the meteor. The slideshow is really cool. Spaceweather.com also has some more information concerning it.

    I was one of the people that felt and heard the sonic boom it created, my sister witnessed it in the sky.

  3. 1728 by cybercuzco · · Score: 4, Informative
    How many Volkswagen bugs are there in one Library of Congress?


    1728

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  4. Re:Meteor strikes not that uncommon by Sgt+York · · Score: 5, Informative
    Well, it's rare, but it does happen....

    Injuries were light.

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    There is a reason for everything. Sometimes that reason just sucks.