The timing doesn't really matter, and I doubt people would be arguing over it. The fact is that it has been shown that this type of event can form craterchains.
Yes Persol, that is so true. A broken space rock can form a “crater chain” according to mathematics. From observation of the properties of SL9 it also proves that it is going to be a very, very rare event for one to form a Cunningham / Smart type of crater chain, which scientists agree on. In fact it is stated by many that it will be just about impossible to make a crater chain of this unique pattern. Yet there are dozens of this type and they are mostly of recent occurrence.
The ONLY known scientific evidence that matches these properties of CS types of crater chains is a weapon.