Say it was the size of Corsica and traveling at the speed of a reversing truck and bumped into a land mass. Would it still be an extinction level event?

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[–] 30 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Imagine a large rock, suspended by helicopters a few miles up in the air.

Now drop the rock. How fast is it going when it hits the ground?

The same thing is true for a rock falling from space, but more so. Regardless of initial conditions: if it ever contacts the ground, it will be moving at least 11 kilometers per second.

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  • [–] 10 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Maybe it comes in at such an extreme orbit that it boops without falling straight down?

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