Astronomers have identified a small asteroid on a collision course with Earth, expected to disintegrate in the atmosphere today, December 3. The asteroid, measuring approximately 27 inches (70 centimeters) in diameter, was detected by the Kitt Peak National Observatory near Tucson, Arizona, and is anticipated to enter the atmosphere around 11:15 a.m. ET (1615 GMT).
According to the European Space Agency, the asteroid poses no threat to the planet and is expected to create a visually impressive fireball over northern Siberia. Dubbed C0WEPC5, this marks the fourth “imminent impactor” detected this year, which refers to asteroids discovered shortly before their expected collisions. Overall, C0WEPC5 is only the 11th confirmed imminent impactor discovered in history.
In recent months, other imminent impactors have also been detected, such as asteroid 2024 UQ, spotted just two hours before it burned up over the Pacific, and 2024 BX1, which disintegrated over Berlin back in January. On September 4, asteroid 2024 RW1 created a spectacular fireball over the Philippines, garnering attention on social media.
Global space agencies are ramping up monitoring efforts to track near-Earth objects through various initiatives, including the ATLAS survey and the Catalina Sky Survey. NASA is also developing the NEO Surveyor, a new infrared telescope aimed at identifying potentially hazardous asteroids.
In summary, while the arrival of C0WEPC5 may sound alarming at first glance, it serves as a reminder of the efficiency and advancements in monitoring celestial objects, ensuring that even small asteroids are closely observed for our safety. The ongoing efforts to catalog and track these objects demonstrate humanity’s commitment to planetary defense and the protection of our home.