science ☄️ Shooting stars don't just burn up, science finds
Scientists have studied 75 fireball events to understand what happens to space rocks entering Earth’s atmosphere. Researchers determined that a rock's fate depends more on melting and cracking than simply evaporating due to heat. The study identified seven recurring phases as meteoroids move from thin to denser air. This new understanding helps predict landing spots and explains airbursts like the 2013 Chelyabinsk event. This research is crucial for planetary defense efforts moving forward. ☄️