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Orbital Mechanics

Student Activity

Asteroids - What is Their Impact?

Asteroid Impacts

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Diameter
(metres)

Time between
events (years)

Density (kg/m³)

Mass (kg)

Impact velocity (km/s)

kinetic energy (joules)

TNT equivalent

1

-

7000
iron

-

18

-

-

1

-

7000
iron

-

42
head-on

-

-

10

-

4000
stoney

-

18

-

-

100

-

4000
stoney

-

18

-

-

1000

-

4000
stoney

-

18

-

-

5000

-

2000
icy

-

18

-

-

10000

-

2000
icy

-

18

-

-

4.2 x 10⁹ joules = 1 metric tonne of TNT