A small asteroid made headlines this week as it entered Earth’s atmosphere over northeastern Siberia, creating a spectacular fireball visible to residents of the region. The European Space Agency issued an alert about this 27-inch asteroid, temporarily designated C0WEPC5, stating that while it was on a collision course with Earth, the impact would be harmless.
This event marks the fourth detected asteroid strike of the year and just the 11th on record for such imminent impactors, as classified by the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. The asteroid entered the atmosphere at 11:15 a.m. ET, and local witnesses captured videos of the bright fireball moving across the sky before it faded from view. As of now, it remains unclear whether any debris from the asteroid reached the Earth’s surface.
This week is particularly notable as it features a second asteroid fly-by. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, another asteroid named 2020 XR is set to pass Earth at 12:27 a.m. ET on Wednesday. While significantly larger at about 1,200 feet in diameter—comparable to the Empire State Building—2020 XR will safely pass Earth at a distance of 1.37 million miles. Although not considered a threat, NASA labels objects that come within 4.6 million miles of our planet as “potentially hazardous.”
The increased detection capability of astronomers, spurred by advancements in technology, has made these kinds of incidents more visible and understandable. With over 132 known asteroids having flown closer to Earth than the moon since October 2023, and more than 36,000 total fly-bys recorded, the monitoring of celestial objects is vital. Fortunately, the local excitement and awareness this event brings could inspire further interest in science and space awareness in our communities.
In summary, while recent events may seem alarming, they also highlight our enhanced capabilities for tracking and understanding asteroids, ensuring the safety and awareness of the public.