Today in Space - June 30, 1908:
The Tunguska Event, a massive meteorite explosion over Siberia, leveled 2,000 square kilometers of forest.
The Tunguska Event was a massive airburst over Siberia, likely caused by a 50–100-meter asteroid or comet, flattening 2,000–2,150 km² of forest.
Its significance lies in exposing Earth’s vulnerability to NEOs, catalyzing planetary defense efforts, and inspiring Asteroid Day, observed annually on June 30.
Debates persist about the object’s nature (asteroid vs. comet) and exact energy.
