32. If a meteor comes toward us, should we be scared? (A K2S Question)
From The Space Library
(Difference between revisions)
Revision as of 18:13, 11 June 2014
A meteor is usually no bigger than a grain of dust and is burned up by friction with our atmosphere. In space there is no atmosphere to stop meteors, but they are so tiny that they pose no threat of damage. Spacecraft are hit by them all the time. A larger meteor—about an inch across—could possibly cause damage if it were to hit the spacecraft, but the chances of this happening are actually very small.
Answer provided by Alan Hale, Ph.D. & Capt. USN (Ret.) William Readdy
Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer
Buy This Book Click here |