The fall of a meteorite near the Kamennaia Tunguska River in Siberia (June 13, 1908) was one of the most enigmatic collisions of the Earth with a celestial object in the 20th century. The author gives an academic detailed description of this phenomenon and of the results of its scientific investigation, listing all interpretations presented by various specialists. Nikolai Vasil"ev (1930-2001), a professor of medicine, spent about 40 years studying this problem, he was the leader and coordinator of these studies beginning in 1964. Chronology of the researches, hypotheses and versions explaining the Tunguska catastrophe (1908-2000). Summary in English. Bibliography (351 titles). 80 ill.