News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Fireball over US, Wednesday, April 17th 2019 around 02:57. Parent comment

Re:Fireball over US, Wednesday, April 17th 2019 around 02:57 by mlindner on Wednesday April 17, 2019 @09:11PM (#19687879)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WagAKBuc_o

Yes they're quite bright but more consistent in their brightness, but any ICBM is going to detonate quite a lot higher.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Fireball over US, Wednesday, April 17th 2019 around 02:57 by evrydayhustling on Thursday April 18, 2019 @12:21PM (#19692292)
Wow - almost identical video with actual ICBM to compare. Thanks!!

Also: why is it still bright? Don't understand why it would still be firing at that point. Is it burning?

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Fireball over US, Wednesday, April 17th 2019 around 02:57 by mlindner on Friday April 26, 2019 @05:55PM (#19762110)
The part where it's leaving a trail is material ablating (vaporizing) off the outside of the re-entry vehicle. It's still bright after that because it's still traveling at mach 5-6 or so (very dense pointed entry vehicle that doesn't lose speed), so it maintains a superheated state where the surface is glowing white hot.
[ Parent | on HN ]