We have completed maintenance on DiscoverMagazine.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

Cloudy with a Chance of Satellite

Cosmic Variance
By Julianne Dalcanton
Feb 16, 2009 11:14 PMNov 5, 2019 8:19 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

From the National Weather Service:

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE JACKSON KY 1145 PM EST FRI FEB 13 2009 ...POSSIBLE SATELLITE DEBRIS FALLING ACROSS THE REGION... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN JACKSON HAS RECEIVED CALLS THIS EVENING FROM THE PUBLIC CONCERNING POSSIBLE EXPLOSIONS AND...OR EARTHQUAKES ACROSS THE AREA. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION HAS REPORTED TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT THESE EVENTS ARE BEING CAUSED BY FALLING SATELLITE DEBRIS. THESE PIECES OF DEBRIS HAVE BEEN CAUSING SONIC BOOMS...RESULTING IN THE VIBRATIONS BEING FELT BY SOME RESIDENTS...AS WELL AS FLASHES OF LIGHT ACROSS THE SKY. THE CLOUD OF DEBRIS IS LIKELY THE RESULT OF THE RECENT IN ORBIT COLLISION OF TWO SATELLITES ON TUESDAY...FEBRUARY 10TH WHEN KOSMOS 2251 CRASHED INTO IRIDIUM 33.

(h/t Slog) And I can't believe I beat Phil "Death from the Skies" Plait to this! Actual Death from the Skies!

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.