In 2023, the KNMI recorded infrastructure sound of an explosion of an asteroid over the French region of Normandy. But the infrastructure sound was much further perceptible: the explosion also registered a measuring station in Russia 5,500 kilometers away.
Asteroid 2023CX1 fell apart on 13 February 2023 at about 28 kilometers in height in the atmosphere. In addition, almost all energy was released in one go with an explosion. And the infrastructure sound of that explosion was noticeable to great distance, the KNMI reports Thursday.
Infrable sound is sound that is inaudible for humans: it has a frequency of lower than 20 Hertz and actually consists of vibrations in the atmosphere. It is generated by large quantities of moving air or moving surfaces. Examples of this are large explosions, volcanic retirements and planes that go through the sound barrier.
The asteroid of about one meter in size was discovered a few hours before the impact. From that point scientists could follow everything and therefore also the explosion. And that made the asteroid special, says KNMI seismologist Jelle Assink, who participated in the research.
“It was only the seventh time that the arrival of an asteroid could be predicted. It was also calm again, so the asteroid could be detected well. All instruments were ready.”
Great research of many different scientists
As a result, the impact is recorded in many ways, such as on image and sound. Scientists could also quickly look for the remains of the asteroid. Large groups of volunteers searched the lawns in the area. Two days later the first piece of rock was found. In total, over a distance of 8 kilometers, more than a hundred pieces of the asteroid were found.
The results of the research into the asteroid were published in Nature Astronomy on Wednesday. Scientists with different specialties and from different institutions participated in the research. The goal was to get more knowledge of asteroids and ways to protect the earth against it.
The KNMI participated in the research by analyzing sound vibrations. KNMI measuring stations in De Bilt and at Exloo in Drenthe, the infrastructure sound tried. Those stations were about 450 and 550 kilometers from the place where the asteroid reached the atmosphere. That is just a fraction of the distance to the furthest measuring point in Russia. A measuring station even detected the explosion 5,500 kilometers away.
“The sound has such a low frequency that it can get very far,” says Assink. “The air conducts that infrastructure sound well. You can compare it a bit with a concert. There you also hear the bastones further away than the higher sound.”
The explosion had a force of 0.3 kiloton, according to the study. Such a number is abstract and therefore scientists often compare such explosions with the explosion of the nuclear bomb in Hiroshima during the Second World War. It had a force of 15 kiloton. In other words: the explosion of the asteroid was fifty times as small as the nuclear bomb.
In 2023, The KNMI (Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute) Registered infrasound from an asteroid explosion above the Normandy Region of France. But the infrasound was Detectable Much Further Away: A Measuring Station in Russia, 5,500 kilometers Away, also Registered the Explosion.
Asteroid 2023CX1 Disintegrated on February 13, 2023, at an Altitude of Approximately 28 kilometers in The Atmosphere. Almost all of the energy was released at Once in an explosion. And the infrasound from that explosion was detectable about a great distance, The Knmi Reported on Thursday.
Infrasound is sound that is inaudible to humans: it has a frequency of less than 20 hertz and actual consists of vibrations in the atmosphere. It is generated by Large Amounts of Moving Air or Moving Surfaces. Examples Include Large Explosions, Volcanic Eruptions, and Aircraft Breaking the Sound Barrier.
The Asteroid, About One Meter in Size, was discovered a few Hours Before Impact. From that point on, scientists were able to follow everything, including the explosion. And that made the asteroid special, Says KNMI seismologist Jelle Assink, who participated in the research.
“It was only the seventh time that the arrival of an asteroid could be predicted. The Weather was also calm, so the asteroid was easy to detect. All instruments were ready.”
Large Research by Many Different Scientists
As a result, the impact was recorded in many ways, such as in images and sound. Scientists were also able to quickly search for remnants of the asteroid. Large Groups of Volunteers Searched the Surrounding Fields. Two Days later, The First Piece of Rock was found. In Total, More Than a Hundreds of the Asteroid Were Found about A distance of 8 kilometers.
The Results of the Asteroid Research Were published Wednesday in Nature Astronomy . Scientists with Different Specialties and from Different Institutes Partipated in The Research. The Aim was to gain more knowledge of asteroids and ways to protect the Earth Against them.
The KNMI Participated in the Research by Analyzing Sound Vibrations. KNMI Measuring Stations in De Bilt and Near Exloo in Drenthe Recorded the Infrasound. These stations were about 450 and 550 kilometers from the point where the asteroid reached the atmosphere. That is only a fraction of the distance to the party measuring point in Russia. One Measuring Station Even Detected the Explosion 5,500 kilometers Away.
“The sound has such a low frequency that it can travel very far,” Says Assink. “The Air Conducts that infrasound well. You can compare it a bit to a concert. There you also hear the bass tones Further Away than the higher sound.”
The Explosion had A Force of 0.3 Kilotons, Accordance to the Research. Such a number is abstract, which is why scientists of compare such explosions to the explosion of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima Dooring World War II. That had a force of 15 kilotons. In Other Words, The Explosion of the Asteroid, Fifty Times was narrower than the Atomic Bomb.