WI: Meteor Destroys Major City In the 1950's

What if during the middle of the 20th century, a meteor ended up destroying a major city because of the size of the impact somewhere on Earth. Millions are killed. How does the world react?
 

Vahktang

Donor
Assuming it is not mistaken for a nuclear strike?
Depends on the city.
Soviet city, the west sends aid while secretly rejoicing
Western city, Soviets send what aid they can while promising more (that may not show up), while secretly rejoicing.
Berlin, nukes probably fly.
Mecca, hoo boy life is interesting after that.
Tokyo, see the movie Akira. :)

Lots of movies about space. Stock piling of emergency supplies. If Earth is way lucky, major funding for manned space stations towards an early warning and prevention system, run by the UN in a united front for the species and civilization.
 
The film "When Worlds Collide" was released in 1951. If the meteor struck just afterwards, the film is going to be seen as prescient. It might increase the panic that more strikes are imminent.


Cheers,
Nigel.
 
I just don't think it carries enough ordnance.
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Sorry, I couldn't resist.:rolleyes:
 
Space...the final frontier...

A meteor strike of that magnitude would be seen as a disaster--but in the spirit of the era, I see it would also be taken as a threat that could be defended against. a "Skynet" of telescopes worldwide search the skies for threats, and bigger, stronger rockets able to send multi-megaton nuclear payloads beyond earth orbit--with accuracy--are dreamed of, and probably built.

Of course, science fiction of the era soon has these new weapons being used on invading aliens...

Years later, in the ASB section, people ask if we would have even reached the moon without the big strike...
 
I just don't think it carries enough ordnance.
77sqn_raaf_korea.gif


Sorry, I couldn't resist.:rolleyes:

I guess it depends on your definition of major (and how willing you are to ignore the remit in the OP).

The Meteor couldn't drop period ordnance actually deployed that could level a city, but if they can make the Davy Crockett, they can make a bomb the Meteor could drop.

Just saying.
 
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