The asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere at 11:15 a.m. ET over Yakutia in northeastern Siberia, creating a massive fireball.

Summary

A 27-inch asteroid, C0WEPC5, entered Earth’s atmosphere over Siberia on Tuesday, creating a harmless but visible fireball.

This marked Earth’s fourth detected asteroid strike of the year and only the 11th “imminent impactor” ever recorded.

The asteroid was detected by the Kitt Peak National Observatory ahead of impact, showcasing advancements in asteroid detection.

Separately, a larger asteroid, 2020 XR, measuring 1,200 feet in diameter, will safely pass Earth on Wednesday at a distance of 1.37 million miles.

  • Novamdomum@fedia.io
    322·
    23 days ago

    I’d love to know what percentage of the Earth’s population would be totally fine with an asteroid taking us all out. I’d be willing to bet it’s higher that it’s ever been.

    • Eiri@lemmy.caEnglish
      6·
      23 days ago

      I’d rather we get eradicated but the rest of nature is fine.

      • Saleh@feddit.orgEnglish
        3·
        23 days ago

        There is a deep sea and creatures living deeply underground. Chance is even if an even wiped out everything on the surface of the earth after some few million years the surface is populated again.

    • scarabic@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      22 days ago

      On some sardonic humor level, sure. But I don’t think many people are actually ready to die tomorrow, and no one is ready for an impactor that does something in between like plunge us into 200 years of suffering because we can’t grow 70% of the crops we need.