The Saskatchewan Meteor Strike and Its Aftermath
In The Saskatchewan Meteor Strike and Its Aftermath, Professor Brian Cox meets Dr. Alan Hildebrand who leads a team of meteorite hunters to investigate the aftermath of a 10-ton asteroid that landed in Saskatchewan, Canada, in November 2008. Learn about the intense heat generated as the asteroid passed through Earth's atmosphere, leaving melted fragments on the surface. This video is excerpted from BBC's Wonders of the Solar System, a spellbinding documentary series that explores the most extreme locations on Earth to explain how the laws of physics carved natural wonders across the Solar System.
Lesson Express
Q: How does a meteor become a meteorite once it reaches Earth’s surface?
A: A meteor is a rock in space; when it enters Earth’s atmosphere and burns up, it becomes a meteor. If it reaches the Earth’s surface, it is then called a meteorite.
Q: What causes the heat that melts the meteor as it enters Earth’s atmosphere?
A: The heat comes from the friction between the meteor and Earth’s atmosphere. As the meteor travels at high speed, it compresses the air in front of it, which generates heat.
Q: Why was the meteor impact in Saskatchewan considered unusual?
A: The meteor was unusual because it struck a heavily populated area, allowing many people to witness it, and it was captured on CCTV, providing rare footage of such an event.
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