Things....

To Mark Cook:

Simplifying hugely (and not taking fusion/fission reaction into A/C), you can
calculate the K.E. from such an impact, using 1/2 m (v*v).

The mass of a 4 km diameter chunk of ice is:

density of ice (in kg/m^3) * (4/3 * pi * (diam./2)^3) (in m^3)

which is roughly 0.8 * 4 * 2000^3 = 2.7 * 10^10 kg

Multiply half this by the square of the speed (in m/s)..

1.35 * 10^10 * 3.6 * 10^9 = 4.9..no, call it 5 * 10^19.

As we have used SI units (metres, kg, seconds) all the way through,
 this figure for energy will be in Joules. You lot can convert it
into Ergs, BTU or hamster.seconds, if you want.

Does this figure seem a bit high?

Not for celestial pyrotechnics.

BTW, why won`t this start a fusion reaction? Because, all this energy
will be liberated in the (relatively) cool and low-pressure external
 shells of the planet. The core that is actually hot and heavy enough
to go bang will never feel the effect of the impact.

Thanks to David Sansom for that bit (I know you read this...)

Rodge, White Dwarf stuff is on its way.

Anyone else who would like more info on the following, please email me.


Format is :	Name;
		Author(s);Number of pp;Source.

Wordly Power - Additional Government Types for Traveller;
Phil Masters;2;Best of White Dwarf III.

Additional Detector Systems for Traveller Starships;
Antony Cornell, Martin Barrett;1;Best of White Dwarf III.

Stand by to Repel Boarders - Starship Security in Traveller;
Andrew MIller;1;Best of White Dwarf III.

To Live Forever - Immortality in Traveller;
Andy Slack;3;White Dwarf 52.

3D Space;
Bob McWilliams;1;White Dwarf 72.

Mercy Mission - A Scientific Adventure for Traveller;
Simon Lewis;6;White Dwarf 82.

TTFN,

James.