On social media, many viewers were stunned after a viral video captured a moment showing an asteroid crashing into Earth’s atmosphere following NASA’s warning.
On X, footage of the asteroid crashing into Earth’s atmosphere after NASA’s warning gained attention among viewers.
An asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere, creating a spectacular fireball that was captured in breathtaking footage over northeastern Siberia.
NASA’s asteroid watch predicts the event
NASA’s Asteroid Watch announced the impending atmospheric entry of a small asteroid, reassuring that it would create a “harmless fireball.”
The asteroid, measuring less than one meter in size, was predicted to enter Earth’s atmosphere over eastern Russia’s Olyokminsky District.
While, the asteroid was initially spotted using the University of Arizona’s Bok telescope by the Catalina Sky Survey, a program funded by NASA.
Predictions were made by NASA’s Scout system, operated by the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).
Footage of the asteroid’s fiery descent
On X platform, a user who goes by @volcaholic1 shared a video on this platform, showing an asteroid crashing into Earth’s atmosphere.
The video has the caption: “Video of the 70cm asteroid that entered earths atmosphere over northern Siberia today.”
Videos of the asteroid’s fiery descent have gone viral, showcasing a bright streak of light cutting through the Siberian sky.
The fireball, visible over the Russian republic of Sakha, lit up the sky before fading into a shimmer.
The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the asteroid’s size at about 70 centimeters in diameter. It described the event as “a nice fireball over northern Siberia.”
The Sakha emergencies ministry had been alerted ahead of time.
Additionally, thanks to global astronomical observations, the impact prediction was accurate to within 10 seconds. Fortunately, the atmospheric entry posed no danger to Earth or its inhabitants.
Social media reactions
Social media users were amazed by the event and NASA’s ability to track such a small object. Comments ranged from awe to humor:
One person said: Wait – that’s not the mother ship?!! I thought there was supposed to be an alien invasion today lol.
A second wrote: I never expected to see a fireball in my life, but I saw one last Spring! Streaking west through Ohio. Crackling and booming! SO AMAZING!
While a third commented: WOW. Siberia must be the most Asteroid hit area of Planet Earth.
Another added: Amazing they could pick up, track and predict something so small really.
Someone else said: 70 cm small asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere over Yakutia, Russia.
Another asteroid passing close to Earth
While, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reported another asteroid, 2020 XR, set to pass by Earth this week.
Unlike the Siberian asteroid, this one measures 1,200 feet in diameter and will remain at a safe distance of 1.37 million miles.
Additionally, the recent asteroid event highlights NASA’s remarkable ability to monitor and predict celestial phenomena.
Furthermore, while this fireball was harmless, it underscores the importance of continued vigilance in tracking near-Earth objects. As a result, we can marvel at the beauty and precision of space science.