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Meteor explosion cause for bright light, sound in SP - Prof. Jayaratne

19 October 2017 12:11 am - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo University Physical Science Department Prof. Chandana Jayaratne confirmed that the bright light and sound which was heard from the Southern Province (SP) this evening was because of an explosion caused by a meteor.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror he said the explosion was known as a 'fireball explosion' and occurs after an astroid enters the earth’s atmosphere.

“The astroid could be a size of 50 centimetres. Every astroid enters the earth’s photosphere at a speed of 65 kilometers per second. With that speed one side of the astroid gets heated up due to friction and the other side does not, therefore causing an explosion,” Prof Jayaratne said.

“People who saw the asteroid entering our atmosphere at about 8.30p.m, saw different colour lights. Most of it was green and yellow due to its elements reacting to the heat,” he said.

“The explosion could have caused damage, but fortunately it broke into small pieces. People should not touch parts of the astroid because those astroid can contain radiation which cause harm to the human body and my contains unknown bacteria,” he warned.

The light of the astroid was seen in several parts of the country including the Southern Province.

Military Spokesman and Army Media Director Roshan Seneviratne, said they were yet to detect any incidents caused by the light. The Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force also confirmed that they did not detect any incidents. (Chaturanga Pradeep)


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  Comments - 16

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  • gg Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:51 AM

    True story with a fake image

    modunayakas Thursday, 19 October 2017 02:58 AM

    They r looking for mahanayakas for advice and navy

    AMW Thursday, 19 October 2017 05:28 AM

    I am so happy that I witnessed this incident from Narahenpita !! Thank God people saw this and its in the news coz nobody would believe me otherwise Hahahahah :-)

    ANTON Thursday, 19 October 2017 06:10 AM

    NO NO THIS COULD BE DEEPAVALI CELEBRATIONS.

    Dee Thursday, 19 October 2017 07:16 AM

    Some thought It was a message from N Korea.

    Mandy Thursday, 19 October 2017 07:54 AM

    An astroid is a particular mathematical curve while asteroid is a very minor planet. Likely this was a meteorite or if bigger than that, a meteoroid.

    Curious Thursday, 19 October 2017 08:00 AM

    If people should not touch it, isn't it advisable to at least try to locate it?

    Jonson Thursday, 19 October 2017 08:20 AM

    To my poor knowledge North Korean missile would have crossed. via DM Android App

    kaboos Thursday, 19 October 2017 10:49 AM

    Meteor explosion can cause high radiation for plants and for other crops.

    Marikar Thursday, 19 October 2017 11:02 AM

    That was not a meteor but most probably the Chinese space station named Tiangong1 which went out of control falling to Earth. It did not stand true to its name Tiangong which means Heavenly Palace!

    Ameer Thursday, 19 October 2017 12:33 PM

    The professor is advising not to touch it as "it may contain unknown bacteria" seriously professor mankind has been trying to locate life outside earth for so long and you are telling us that a meteorite that heats up until it explodes may contain alien bacteria? I think its high time we check up on the professor's degree

    dingiri Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:53 PM

    Precisely my thoughts when reading the article. Further most meteorites are made of iron, nickel and silicates. I have never heard of radioactive meteorites.

    Byyaa Thursday, 19 October 2017 01:52 PM

    APE KAALE MEVA VENNA DUNNE NEEEE... APE HAMUDURUWANE..

    ceylon Thursday, 19 October 2017 02:11 PM

    meteo is looking for some one important. via DM Android App

    Jigsaw Jakson Friday, 20 October 2017 11:18 PM

    Watch out for Super Man or some thing like that?......no?

    GMOA Tuesday, 24 October 2017 01:11 PM

    Doctors.....Lets strike....!!!!


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