Asteroid Creates Fireball Over Siberia As Second Massive Asteroid Approaches Earth

On Tuesday, a tiny asteroid illuminated the skies above northeastern Siberia, signaling the first of two major asteroid events this week. The European Space Agency (ESA) verified the observation of the 27-inch asteroid, provisionally called C0WEPC5, as it neared Earth. The meteorite entered the atmosphere above Yakutia at 11:15 a.m. ET, producing a dramatic fireball visible to residents in the region.

Though it made a fiery display, ESA assured the public that the asteroid’s impact was harmless. This marks Earth’s fourth detected asteroid strike this year and only the 11th “imminent impactor” ever recorded. Imminent impactors are asteroids detected shortly before their collision course with Earth, as identified by observatories like Arizona’s Kitt Peak National Observatory, which first spotted C0WEPC5.

Videos shared on social media show the bright meteor streaking across the Siberian sky before burning out. It is unclear if any debris from the asteroid reached the ground.

Adding to this celestial week, another asteroid, named 2020 XR, is set to pass Earth early Wednesday. Unlike C0WEPC5, which entered the atmosphere straight on, 2020 XR is significantly larger, boasting a diameter of approximately 1,200 feet — akin to the height of the Empire State Building. Despite its size, it will keep a safe distance of 1.37 million miles from Earth, as stated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Although 2020 XR does not pose a danger, NASA classifies it as “potentially hazardous” for space objects that approach within 4.6 million miles of Earth.

Asteroid fly-bys occur frequently, with more than 36,000 such incidents documented. As of October 2023, 132 asteroids have approached Earth more closely than the moon. Technological advancements have significantly enhanced our ability to detect and monitor these celestial bodies, improving our preparedness for such events.

This week’s asteroids highlight the dynamic and constantly evolving nature of our solar system, evoking wonder and emphasizing the necessity for ongoing vigilance in monitoring space.