reply to post by warrenb
the only thing I'm worried about is that this bomb however big, may cause the moon to shift orbit slightly.
warren, I think a little knowledge should help to allay those fears, and all the fears others have expressed.
I find it particularly distressing that such a well-known prestigious publication like Scientific American would choose such an unfortunate term like
"bomb" just to sensationalize their headline!!!
For the record: It is a spent (meaning empty) rocket stage that weighs approximately two tons. It is not more massive than an average large sedan.
Our proud Moon has withstood far, far, FAR more powerful impacts in the four billion, or so, years of its existence.
It will affect the Moon's orbit, or rotation, about as much as a gnat would affect a bowling ball!!!
Here, let Wiki show you:
Mass 7.347 7 × 10 (to the 22) kg (0.012 3 Earths)
That is 73,477,000,000,000,000,000,000 kg. Let's see, as I count it, it is....just over 73
sextillion kg. A KG is 2.2 pounds. The rocket
stage will weigh about 4,000 pounds (These wights are relative to Earth, for clarity).
SO, 160
sextillion pounds, versus 4,000 pounds? I think the Moon will win this match!
[edit on 6/23/0909 by weedwhacker]