Quote:
A better explanation:
http://scienceblogs.com/dotphysics/2009/12/a_great_example_of_a_model.php

Fairly simple explanation that doesn't reference exotic notions of physics or capabilities and given the Russians openly admit that it is one of their rockets screwing up I'm inclined to think that the issue is pretty much settled.


Again a completely over simplistic simulation which does not take into account the atmospheric effects and the scale and the symmetry of the event.

If you take the event as being a missile launch from the white sea then the diameter of the event is 160-180 miles in diameter and the growing black disk consumes the diameter in a few to 10s of seconds meaning the diameter is expanding at 10-25 miles per sec or between 36,000 - 90,000 mph, which would mean the propellant exit velocity will be many many times this according to the simulation.

This is not a missile launch gone wrong being viewed at over 800+ km or 500+ miles away.

I have no explanation for what this is and I am absolutely stumped.