Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Videos: Meteorite Seen Streaking Over Earth Before Exploding, Injuring Many In Russia
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 15, 2013
Modified Feb 15, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 15, 2013
Modified Feb 15, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A meteorite contrail is seen over Chelyabinsk this morning. (AP Photo/Chelyabinsk.ru)
What is believed to be a meteorite streaked through the sky over Russia's Urals region early Friday morning before exploding in a flash, damaging buildings, and reportedly injuring more than 500 peopleclose to 900, with 270 buildings (including schools and hospitals) sustaining damage. A quick lesson: meteorites hit earth, whereas meteors burn out in the sky—and Russian officials say three large pieces of meteorite debris have already been found.
According to the NY Times, the governor of the Chelyabinsk district [map] claims to have already found the impact site (note: many are posting a video showing the "Door to Hell" claiming it is this meteorite's impact site—that is not true!). However, other government experts are saying it was a bolide, "a type of fireball meteor that explodes in the earth’s atmosphere." [Update below: NASA agrees with the exploding fireball theory.] This should be cleared up as the day goes one, meanwhile, the response from the Russian Emergency Ministry has been sweeping: they've deployed several airplanes; 10,000 police officers; and 20,000 people to comb the area.
The object's approach, as well as the explosion, was caught on film by many:
Most of those injured were hurt by the breaking glass during the explosion and sustained minor injuries—one witness told the Times, “I saw a flash in the window, turned toward it and saw a burning cloud, which was surrounded by smoke and was going downward—it reminded me of what you see after an explosion."
Another described this scene: "I was standing at a bus stop, seeing off my girlfriend. Then there was a flash and I saw a trail of smoke across the sky and felt a shockwave that smashed windows."
UPDATE: Don Yeomans, head of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program, also believes this was a bolide, saying, "I would think that this is likely an exploding fireball (or bolide) event caused by the atmospheric impact of a small asteroid. If the reports of ground damage can be verified, it might suggest an object whose original size was several meters in extent before entering the atmosphere, fragmenting and exploding due to the unequal pressure on the leading side vs. the trailing side."
Tagged
meteor
meteorite
russia
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Astoria-born Chip City announces sudden closure days after former CEO sues
The company blamed ‘macro-economic headwinds.’ The co-founder is suing over compensation.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 3, 2026 at 11:29 a.m. ET
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
News
US judge tosses Trump lawsuit targeting pro-Palestinian protesters in NJ
The Justice Department sued demonstrators who protested at a synagogue, under a law aimed at shielding abortion clinics.
By
Willow Higgins
A big, bright Saturn will be the highlight of NYC's fall stargazing season
By
Rosemary Misdary
NYC tow companies busted for ripping off drivers must give $67K in refunds, city says
By
Liam Quigley
Off-duty NYPD officer stabbed in the Bronx, police say
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .