Note that deaths are usually quoted as a number per 100,000 people, which is the case above. For comparison, below I've listed some other death rates (mostly from NSC's web page). Note that the rate for deaths from falls is 20 times that quoted above for accidental gun death. I don't have a number handy for "homicide by gun", but that would be an interesting addition to this table.
deaths per hundred thousand per year cause ------------------------------------------------------------- 0.3 struck by falling object (NOT meteorite!) 0.00001 struck by small meteorite
Given that the total number of known humaną deaths due to being struck by a meteorite stands at zero, of what meaning is the figure they quote?
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ąThe meteorite which fell in Nakht, Egypt in 1911 — which later analysis showed came from Mars — killed a dog when it hit. I am aware of two people who were hit and injured by meteorites: Mrs. H. Hodges of Sylacauga, AL, who in November of 1954 was bruised by a meteorite which came through the roof of her home, struck a large console radio, and ricocheted to hit her in the side, and a man who in 1994 was driving near Toledo, Spain, when a rock that turned out to be a meteorite came through the windshield of his car and struck his hand where he was holding the steering wheel, breaking his little finger.
-- Ronn! :)
Ronn Blankenship Instructor of Astronomy/Planetary Science University of Montevallo Montevallo, AL
Disclaimer: Unless specifically stated otherwise, any opinions contained herein are the personal opinions of the author and do not represent the official position of the University of Montevallo.
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