On June 30, 1908, an unexpected event took place in the Tungus area of Central Siberia. A mid-air explosion occurred that caused widespread devastation and left researchers and scientists puzzled. The explosion was so powerful that it was felt over 400 miles away and even wiped out 1,500 reindeer.
The event was first thought to be the result of a meteorite falling from the sky, but the absence of any residual material ruled out this theory. In the 1950s, some scholars suggested that it may have been the result of a mid-air nuclear explosion by an advanced civilization, but this was also ruled out after further investigation. The most widely accepted theory is that a comet’s head entered the atmosphere at such a speed that it inevitably exploded in mid-air.
In 1965, another theory was put forward, suggesting that an “anti-rock” made of anti-matter entered the atmosphere and collided with atoms of ordinary matter, causing the explosion. This theory was further examined by Nobel Prize winner Willard F. Libby, who concluded that the effect was only one-seventh of what it should have been if there was a meteorite of anti-matter.
In 1973, two scientists from Texas University, A. A. Jackson and Michael P. Ryan Jr., offered a new theory that the 1908 Siberian explosion was caused by a mini black hole. A mini black hole is the leftover of a giant star that has collapsed and left behind a mass more than twice that of the sun. According to this theory, the mini black hole would have entered the atmosphere and created a massive explosion, causing the damage seen in Siberia.
While the concept of black holes may seem vague, some scientists have done research work to explain the theory. A black hole is defined as a lump of matter that has shrunk so much that it has become invisible, but its density generates gravity so strong that not even light can escape it.
In conclusion, the Tunguska event remains a mystery to this day, and several theories have been put forward to explain the cause of the explosion. However, none of the theories have been fully proven, and the true cause of the Tunguska event remains a mystery, leaving room for further research and investigation. The event serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the mysteries that still exist in our world.