On June 30, 1908, the tranquility of the Siberian region along the Tunguska River was interrupted by a colossal explosion that devastated an area of more than 2.000 square kilometersFor more than a century, the so-called Tunguska event It has been the subject of study and countless theories that attempt to explain what really happened.
From the possibility of an impact of a meteorite to more exotic explanations such as black holes o failed technological experimentsThis event remains a fascinating enigma for science and astronomy. In this article, we'll explore in detail all the evidence, hypotheses, and scientific studies that have attempted to unravel this mystery.
What happened in Tunguska in 1908?
On the morning of June 30, 1908, a gigantic fireball crossed the Siberian sky and shortly afterward an explosion occurred whose roar was heard hundreds of kilometers away. expansive wave knocked down more than 80 million trees and was recorded by seismographs and barometers in different parts of Europe.
Unlike other similar events, no crater was found at the site of the explosion, which left scientists puzzled. During the nights following the blast, the skies of Asia and Europe shone with a unusual glow, which led to speculation about suspended particles in the atmosphere.
The first expeditions and studies
The first official expedition to investigate the area did not take place until 1927, when the Soviet scientist Leonid Kulik led a team to study the effects of the phenomenon. Kulik discovered that the trees were arranged in a particular way: radially knocked down, but without a central crater.
Difficulties in accessing the area made the investigations progress slowly, but Kulik and his team managed to collect testimonies from the locals that described a blinding light followed by a shock wave that knocked people down and broke windows for miles around.
Main theories about the Tunguska event
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, various hypotheses have emerged that attempt to explain what really happened in Tunguska. Some are scientifically accepted, while others are more speculative or implausible.
Meteorite impact hypothesis
The most accepted theory states that a meteorite or asteroid between 50 and 200 meters in diameter entered the Earth's atmosphere and exploded at an altitude of between 8 and 10 kilometers. This explosion released an estimated energy of between 10 and 30 megatons, which is equivalent to hundreds of atomic bombs.
Recent studies have suggested that the object may have been a iron meteorite which never directly impacted the Earth, but passed close enough to generate a devastating shock wave.
Comet hypothesis
Another hypothesis indicates that the Tunguska event was caused by a comet composed mostly of ice. This would have exploded upon entering the atmosphere, vaporizing completely and leaving only microscopic particles in the environment.
The lack of a crater is one of the points that reinforces this theory, since a comet would not leave solid remains on the surface after exploding in the air.
Alternative explanations
- In 1965, it was proposed that the explosion may have been caused by antimatter, a theory that has been disproved by modern physics.
- In 1973, a hypothesis was put forward that the Tunguska event was caused by a mini black hole that crossed the Earth.
- Some more speculative theories suggest that the explosion may have been the result of an alien ship that crashed in Siberia.
Modern research and data analysis
In recent years, various investigations have attempted to clarify the Tunguska mystery with advanced models and new discoveries. A study published in 2020 by the Royal Astronomical Society suggests that the event could have been caused by a iron asteroid which passed through the atmosphere without touching the surface.
Other studies have analyzed the possibility that the remains of the impact are found in the Lake Cheko, located near the epicenter of the explosion, but so far it has not been confirmed that this lake is an impact crater.
The Tunguska event remains a mystery that science continues to investigate. While the most widely accepted hypotheses point to an asteroid or a comet, there are still unanswered questions about the impact, the shock wave, and the absence of physical remains. This phenomenon reminds us of the vulnerability of our planet in the face of space objects and the importance of continuing to study these cosmic events.