Russia's Academy of Sciences hosts forum on Tunguska phenomenon

Upcoming conference in Russia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Tunguska explosion, selections from the article...

Russia's Academy of Sciences is hosting an international conference marking the 100th anniversary of the mysterious event which occurred on June 30, 1908 near the river Podkamennaya Tunguska, and has defied explanation up to date.

Boris Shustov, director of RAN's Institute of Astronomy and head of the expert group on asteroid-comet danger (ACO) under the Council for Outer Space, told Itar-Tass that "they often use the word "meteorite" when talking about this event; but it is the wrong term."

"In the course of the conference, the participants will discuss the Tunguska phenomenon proper and the asteroid-comet danger. They are our colleagues from the United States, Great Britain, and Germany, and we’re expecting extensive discussions of this theme. It has been proposed to bring forward a package of documents for consideration by the UN in 2009 which would regulate countries' conduct in connection with the asteroid-comet danger. ACO is a global threat," Shustov underlined.

Director of the center for planetary defense of the Earth from asteroids Anatoly Zaitsev said two lessons have to be learnt form the Tunguska Phenomenon.

"Firstly, it showed the Earth's vulnerability in the event of "asteroid attack." Secondly, it was a sort of warning: nations should consolidate their efforts as fast as possible in the cause to protect the planet from asteroids.

The international conference will last until June 28. Among its organizers are the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAN), the Moscow State University (MGU), the RAN committee on meteorites, and the MGU's Sternberg state astronomical institute.

Link: ITAR-TASS Story: "RAN hosts forum on Tunguska phenomenon" (26 June 2008)

Link: International Conference "100 years since Tunguska phenomenon: Past, present and future" - Conference Website

Link: International Conference "100 years since Tunguska phenomenon: Past, present and future" - Conference Abstracts (PDF)