Cranbrook Hosts Special Program After Russian Meteor Strike

Are you fascinated or freaked out by the meteor strike in Russia? Maybe a little of both? 

The staff at the the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills understands. From 1-2 p.m. Saturday, the institute will host a special viewing of some of the meteorites in its collection, officials said in a news release. Cranbrook’s Geologist will be on hand with a rare look at several specimens from that are not usually on public view.

The Huffington Post reported that the meteor that struck Russia was about 10 tons and entered the Earth's atmosphere at a hypersonic speed of at least 54,000 kph (33,000 mph). It reportedly shattered into pieces about 30-50 kilometers (18-32 miles) above the ground, and injured up to a thousand people on the ground, the Russian Academy of Sciences said in a statement.

Though none in the Cranbrook collection may be that large, there is still plenty to learn from seeing other items that travelled from outer space, organizers said.

“Since the meteor explosion over Russia was reported earlier today, our visitors have had questions about meteors and where they come from,” said Cranbrook geologist John Zawiskie in a statement. “Sharing some of our specimens will enable visitors to see and touch actual meteorites and learn more about them.”

The meteorite viewing is free with admission.