Japanese scientists to examine Chebarkul meteor fragments

Scientists at the Okayama University in Japan have started examination of the fragments of the meteorite that landed in the town of Chelyabinsk on February 15.

Seventeen fragments, each sized from 0.5 to 3 centimeters, were handed over to Japanese experts from the Ural Federal University.

NASA said the meteor was 17 meters wide and weighed 10,000 tones before entering the atmosphere, releasing about 500 kilotons of energy.

Last time such huge meteor, known as the Tunguska meteor, hit the Earth in 1908, BBC reports.