Quad Citians React to Meteor - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

Quad Citians React to Meteor

By Natalie Zarowny
nzarowny@cbs4qc.com

Astronomy junkies around the world knew about the closest recorded asteroid passing by earth way before it happened.

But what caught everyone by surprise, was the meteor that injured more than a thousand people in a Russian city.

Quad Citians watched with the rest of the world as the unbelievable events unfolded this morning.

And even though the meteor's shockwave didn't reach us physically, it's opening up some fears for the future.

"I just assumed that it wasn't going to be an issue, but if it can be for Russia, maybe it can be for all of us," said Dena Dierikx of Davenport.

But what are the odds a meteor could hit us here in the Quad Cities?

"Probably pretty close to winning the lottery," said Dana Taylor of the Quad Cities Astronomical Society.

Taylor said a meteor even hitting land is rare in itself.

"We're what, 4/5, 3/5 water?  So, odds are it's gonna land in an ocean.  Odds are very slim it's going to land in a city or something like that," said Taylor.

What's rarer, Taylor said, is the fact that an asteroid coming from a completely different direction passed so close to earth just a few hours later.

"The odds of that are really astronomical, if you pardon the pun," said Taylor.

Basic fears have been calmed, but Quad Citians are still grateful they're safe.

"I'm just glad it didn't do any more damage than it did," said Jay Wolders of Davenport.