What if a big Meteor doesn't collide with the Earth but brushes from within the atmosphere blanket?

Question

What if a Meteor by the size of New York City, like in Armageddon, doesn't really collide with the Earth but just brushes-off from the Earth's atmosphere blanket, what will happen? Will that make any harm to the humans and the other creatures in that area over which this will happen? What will be the effect if it just brushes with atmosphere blanket, say about 20 or 25 kilometers away or above from the Earth's surface or the sea level, just passing through or brushing the atmosphere, but not colliding?

Answer 1

Depends how deeply into the atmosphere it goes. It will cause quite a pressure wave than could cause some serious local damage.

The Tunguska event in Siberia in 1908 flattened trees over an 830 sq mile region (a circle with about a 16.25 mile radius) even though it never reached the ground. It exploded in mid-air, about 4 - 6 miles above the surface.

The Vitim event in 2002 is believed to be a somewhat simliar event to the Tunguska, even if substantially smaller.

Answer 2

Any astrolonomical object will have some gravitational pull. If the object its a big meteor it will definetly come inside the earth, fall and cause lots of destruction to mankind somewhat like the effect the meteroid which hit earth and destroyed all life forms on land. In other words if such a thing were to happen we would all be DEAD unless we get to a very deep point in the ocean and survive like the dragons are believed to.

Answer 3

if the meteor were that close to the earth ....it is obvious tht it would b influenced by gravitational pull n would collide....however if a situation des exist wherein it brushes away,it may not do any direct harm but may leave behind undesireable gases n other matter in the atmosphere which may be harmful.

Answer 4

That would be one heck of a trick shot! Something that small wouldn't have much gravitational effect, but would likely heat and rip away some of our atmosphere. Again, depending on how close it gets, it would be like setting a small nuke off over the target area. Speed and energy transfer would be key to the amount of damage done.

Answer 5

Not much would happen, because at that altitude the atmosphere is just too thin to start a siphoning action.

Answer 6

A lot depends on how it affect the gravational pull of the planet

Answer 7

well according to me i think when it reaches to earth itself the gravitational force would be affected much... that it self a big problem think like that... i think it will affect a lot buddy .

Answer 8

due to friction it'll get heated and then would b'com nthin more than a rock.

Answer 9

we would all mutate into gorillas