Powerful Meteor Hits Earth While Asteroid Flies By

Two days after Ash Wednesday and the day after Valentine's Day, 2013, a brilliant 7,000- to 10,000-ton meteor shot from the heavens across Siberia at a speed of 40,000 miles an hour, exploding over the Ural Mountains with the force of 500 kilotons of TNT, or about 30 times that of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II. Parts of the meteor fell through ice into Lake Chebarkul in a perfectly round hole about 20 feet in diameter.
Tatyana N. Vasiliyeva, a retired accountant who was walking with her husband on the lakeshore Friday morning, said she saw "a star getting brighter, like the sun ... a fiery star falling right on me, and so I thought I should just close my eyes now." Valentina Nikolayeva, a teacher in the industrial city of Chelyabinsk about 54 miles from the point of impact, described "an unreal light which never happens in life; it happens probably only in the end of the world."
Darya Frenn blogged that it felt like "summer in the yard," followed by chaos. "God forbid you should ever have to experience anything like this." She wondered if she was witnessing radiation, a plane crash or the beginning of a war. She worried about her family. When she heard it was a meteor, she thought it could happen again, so she packed a suitcase just in case, pondering where she could flee to safety if the entire Earth was under attack.
According to NASA, more than 500 meteorites, ranging in size from marbles to basketballs, hit Earth's atmosphere every year, but explosions of this magnitude are less frequent: The last time a space rock of this size, at least 50 feet in diameter, struck the Earth was in 1908.
This time, remarkably, no one was killed, though 1,158 people were injured in Chelyabinsk. A fourth-grade teacher, Yulia Karbysheva, was hailed as a hero for executing a Cold War-type of drill as she ordered her 44 students to "duck and cover" under their desks when she saw the flash; while she suffered serious lacerations, not one of her pupils was hurt.
When the meteor entered the Earth's atmosphere, its shock waves knocked out cell phone signals, shattered dishes and televisions, triggered car alarms, stopped traffic for hours and caused extensive property damage due to broken windows, exposed water pipes, collapsed walls, blown roofs and falling objects in homes, schools and businesses.
Russia mobilized 24,000 emergency officials to inspect critical infrastructure such as transportation lines, dams, hospitals, a space launch site, nuclear power plants, chemical factories and other industrial and military facilities in the forested rust-belt region. Most were unharmed, but Russian Minister of Civil Defense Vladimir Puchkov said 297 homes, 12 schools and other facilities did sustain damage. A city administrator in Chelyabinsk said that more than a million square feet of glass shattered.
The propagation effects of shock waves can produce strange results: The blast blew Anna V. Popova's balcony windows in but left her neighbor's identical set untouched. There was extensive damage at a brick-and-steel-reinforced zinc factory, while only a few yards away, a three-story glass building occupied by a Hundai dealership was unscathed.
"A lot of people suffered, not us alone," Ms. Popova said, but added that there seemed to be randomness in whose property was damaged. "Who are we supposed to blame for all this? Nobody, of course."
Local residents marvelled over their luck at having survived a cosmic near miss. Alyona V. Borchininova, a barmaid who stood on the edge of the hole in the lake, said, "It was eerie, so we stood there. And then somebody joked, 'Now the green men will crawl out and say hello.'"
Out on the lake, an ice fisherman, who gave his name only as Dmitri, shrugged off the event. "A meteor fell," he said. "So what? Who knows what can fall out of the sky? It didn't hit anybody. That is the important thing,"
But in the Church of the Transfiguration, on a hill overlooking Lake Chebarkul, Deacon Sergiy had a different interpretation. He had just closed the doors in a wall of icons symbolizing the entombment of Jesus after his crucifixion and the imminence of the Resurrection when the flash of the meteor flooded the chapel with brilliance. "It was like a new sun was born," he said. "This all gives us reason to think. Is the purpose of our life just to raise a family and die, or is it to live eternally? It was a reason for people on earth to look up, to look up at God."
"People can consider February 15 their second birthday," the governor of Chelyabinsk, Mikhail Yurevich, told reporters. "God directed danger away."
Just in case the meteor didn't get your attention, Space Rock DA14, an asteroid about 150 feet in diameter (about the size of an Olympic swimming pool), missed the Earth by about 17,100 miles the evening of the very same day. It passed closer than some satellites, over the Indian Ocean near Sumatra. Had the asteroid hit Earth in a vertical impact, it would have resulted in enormous damage and wiped out 750 square miles given its 143,000-ton heft, releasing energy equivalent to 2.4 million tons of TNT or about 120 atomic bombs such as those used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
According to NASA, an object of this size makes a close approach like this every 40 years. The likelihood of a strike is every 1,200 years. Astronomers called the fly-by of the asteroid and the fall of the meteor on the same day a coincidence, since the space objects appeared to be travelling in opposite directions.
But former Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart, chairman emeritus of the B612 Foundation dedicated to the mission of protecting Earth from dangerous asteroids, said, "We are in a shooting gallery and this is graphic evidence of it." Asteroid DA14, discovered by Spanish astronomers only last February, is "such a close call" that it is a "celestial torpedo across the bow of spaceship Earth," Schweickart said.
The same day the meteor struck and the asteroid missed Earth, passengers on board the Carnival cruise ship TRIUMPH finally made it safely back to shore after an unexpected grueling four-day delay, during which the travellers suffered shortages of food, medicine and adequate sanitation. Among the 4,000-plus passengers and crew who began the cruise on February 7 were Joseph and Cecilia Alvarez. The day before their scheduled return on Monday, February 11th, fire broke out in the engine room, stranding the vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. Cecilia's first thoughts were of their four children. "What if I don't go home?" she thought. "What if I don't see my kids anymore?"
One Bible verse kept coming to her mind, Joshua 1:9 (NIV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." She and Joseph decided to meet with other passengers to study the Bible, pray, sing and share testimonies together for mutual encouragement.
"The Bible studies ... put our minds and our hearts at ease," Joseph said. "We felt peace the whole time. We knew that there was a Mighty Power out there that would get us home and keep us safe so we could get home and see our children."
They read Psalm 29:3 (NIV) – "the voice of the LORD is over the waters" – and Psalm 91 about taking refuge in God. "Whenever two or more are gathered in his name, he's there," Joseph said.
"I have God in my heart always," Cecilia said, "but this situation ... I really appreciate and love God for what he has done for us."
More on this story can be found at these links:
After Assault From the Heavens, Russians Search for Clues and Count Blessings. NYTimes.com
Shock Wave of Fireball Meteor Rattles Siberia, Injuring 1,200. NYTimes.com
In Russia, Ruins and Property Spared by Meteor, Side by Side. NYTimes.com
Meteor Strikes Russia While Asteroid Misses Earth. Forbes
Exploding Meteorite Injures a Thousand People in Russia. Forbes
Asteroid Misses Earth by 17,000 Miles After Meteor Strikes Russia. The Guardian
Asteroid Buzzes, Misses Earth -- Unlike Meteor. Time.com
Stranded Cruise Passengers Turn to Faith. billygraham.org
The Big Questions
1. Comment on this from TWW team member Heidi Mann: "The seeming randomness of what/who was affected (damaged, hurt, ruined) and what/who was not ... the seeming randomness of things in daily life: someone gets cancer, someone else doesn't; one family has tragedy after tragedy, another seemingly perpetual good luck; someone who eats well and exercises regularly drops dead of a heart attack while a longtime overeater, smoker, drinker, risk-taker lives to be 99 -- where is God in the midst of that? How do we understand it from a faith standpoint?"
2. Have you ever thought "This is it; I'm not going to make it to my next birthday"? Have you ever faced something unexpected that caused you to think that perhaps your time on Earth might be shorter than you had thought likely? Did that experience change how you live life now?
3. When an unexpected trauma occurs, are you more likely to respond with the attitude of the barmaid, the ice fisherman or the deacon in the story? What other coping mechanisms do you see people using in Siberia and on board the cruise ship? How can you cope most effectively when you are in extreme stress?
4. Respond to Deacon Sergiy's statement: "This all gives us reason to think. Is the purpose of our life just to raise a family and die, or is it to live eternally? It was a reason for people on earth to look up, to look up at God."
5. On board the cruise ship Triumph, Cecilia came to appreciate God afresh. Why is it that times of stress seem to break some people's spirits but build other people's faith? How can you make it through such experiences stronger, rather than crushed in spirit?
Confronting the News with Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
Joel 2:30-32
I will show portents in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. (For context, read 2:28-32.)
Peter quotes this passage from the prophet Joel on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:16-21). The movement of God's Spirit is seen both in signs in the heavens and on the earth as well, in the outpouring of visions, dreams and prophetic ministry upon male and female, young and old, slave and free.
Questions: Do you see events such as the fall of the meteor to earth or the passing of the asteroid so close to earth primarily in scientific terms, or as a "portent" or "sign" of something? If the latter, to what future event might such signs point us? For what purpose might God show us portents in the heavens and on earth?
Does everything have to have significance? Are some things just random, and delightful in their randomness? Do you, or do people you know, often suggest that cosmic or human events point to the end times? How do you respond when you hear such statements? How do people respond to you when you make such statements?
Matthew 16:1-4
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." Then he left them and went away. (No context needed.)
Luke 16:29-31
Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them." He said, "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent." He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." (For context, read 16:19-31.)
The passage in Luke 16 records a story Jesus told of a rich man who had no mercy on a poor beggar in this life. After both had died, in agony in Hades, the rich man sought relief from the poor man now living in comfort "with Abraham." At the very least, perhaps Father Abraham might send a warning sign for his brothers who were still alive on earth.
Questions: What is the "sign of Jonah" to which Jesus refers? Why is that the only sign God gives to "an evil and adulterous generation"? Why does Father Abraham decline to send someone back from the dead to warn the rich man's brothers? If people do not listen to Moses and the prophets who spoke of Jesus (Luke 24:27), if they do not accept the sign of Jonah or the resurrection of Christ from the dead, of what use to them are portents in the heavens?
Luke 21:25-27
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory." (For context, read 21:5-36.)
Jesus prophesied the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, which happened literally in 70 A.D., and figuratively when the temple of his body was crucified. His disciples wanted to know what sign they should look for that his prophecies were about to come true. Jesus predicted false messiahs, wars, rumor-mongering, earthquakes, famines, plagues, persecution, unimaginable suffering and the proclamation of the gospel to all nations. But through all these events Jesus' disciples are not to panic, worry or fall into debauchery, but rather be alert and prayerful so they can stand before Christ and as a testimony to him (Luke 21:34-36). After stars fall from heaven, Matthew 24:30 says, "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven."
Questions: How can you guard against panic and anxiety when you hear so many stories these days about natural disasters, dramatic events such as meteors falling from heaven and narrow misses by asteroids, and unexpected events like an engine fire that threatens the lives of 4,000-plus souls on board a luxury liner?
2 Corinthians 11:23-28
... with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless floggings, and often near death. Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. (No context needed.)
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. (For context, read 4:1, 5-18.)
Paul recounts the incredible suffering he has experienced and stresses that he is able to minister as he does, whatever adversity comes, because of the mercy (4:1) and power of God (4:7).
Questions: When you face a traumatic experience, how can it help to remember that the same God who brought light out of darkness at Creation also shines in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ (4:6)? On board the cruise ship Triumph, Cecilia Alvarez met a teenager who said they were there for a reason. Why does God allow us to go through such difficulties?
Acts 27:22-25, 44
I urge you now to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For last night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before the emperor; and indeed, God has granted safety to all those who are sailing with you." So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. ... And so it was that all [two hundred and seventy-six souls] were brought safely to land. (For context, read 27:1-44.)
Paul was a prisoner on board a ship bound for Rome when the ship encountered violent weather and foundered for several days. The passengers and crew were in a terrible state, not having eaten for a long time. Paul had warned the ship's captain not to sail, but he had ignored his advice. After chiding the sailors with a bit of "I told you so," Paul encouraged them with a message of hope.
Questions: In times of adversity, how can you as a believer bring a word of hope and a witness of grace to those who are not yet in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ?