Near-Earth Asteroid Collision Prediction: An asteroid about 70 centimeters in diameter will hit the remote region of Yakutia, Russia on December 3, 2024. The object, which was detected just 12 hours before impact, produced a spectacular fireball in the sky, which was witnessed by numerous residents of the area. The asteroid’s entry into Earth’s atmosphere was predicted with remarkable accuracy by astronomers at global observatories. The impact time was estimated within a 10-second window, demonstrating significant progress in tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs).
Astronomers compared the event to previous asteroid impacts, such as 2022 WJ, 2023 CX1, and 2024 BX1, which similarly created impressive sky displays as they entered the atmosphere. Although these small asteroids are not large enough to cause widespread damage, they provide valuable opportunities to study the behavior of such objects.
Minimal impact, no casualties
As the asteroid entered the atmosphere, it broke into pieces, possibly scattering small rocks over the forest. Given the small size of the asteroid and the remote location of its impact, no injuries or significant damage were reported. This marks a fortunate outcome, especially when compared to the infamous Chelyabinsk meteor event of 2013, which caused injuries and damage despite a similar size.
The need for caution
Space agencies, including NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), continue to increase their asteroid tracking capabilities, allowing for timely warnings of potential impacts.
2024 saw a significant increase in the discovery of near-Earth objects, the fourth of the year. Smaller asteroids usually burn up harmlessly after atmospheric entry, leaving scientists worried about what might happen if larger asteroids arrive in the future.