Comment on Object that fell from the skies identified as separation ring from a rocketComments−metadat1yIf planes, with active propellers or jet engines, are only audible for a diameter of 20-50km around the vehicle, how could a falling unpowered ring of metal be audible from 200km away as per TFA?−jcims1yIt would have been supersonic at a very high altitude and likely came in at a steep angle, so sonic boom + large exposure area + long path.−zardo1yWhile it was supersonic it would have produced a sonic boom all along it's path of travel.−MR4D1ySonic boom(s). Unsure what the speed is, but could have been significantly higher than terminal velocity at sea level.
Comments
If planes, with active propellers or jet engines, are only audible for a diameter of 20-50km around the vehicle, how could a falling unpowered ring of metal be audible from 200km away as per TFA?
It would have been supersonic at a very high altitude and likely came in at a steep angle, so sonic boom + large exposure area + long path.
While it was supersonic it would have produced a sonic boom all along it's path of travel.
Sonic boom(s). Unsure what the speed is, but could have been significantly higher than terminal velocity at sea level.