Small asteroid to hit Earth
Heads up! A small asteroid – approximately 1 meter (3 feet) wide – will strike Earth’s atmosphere today (September 4, 2024) over the Philippines around 16:46 UTC according to the European Space Agency. That’s after midnight tonight in the Philippines. And it’s 11:46 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, September 4, for us in North America. The asteroid is expected to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere above the area of Luzon. It’s expected to create a bright fireball for anyone watching! If you’re in the Philippines, go outside and look around 12:46 a.m. PHST on Thursday, September 5.
This is only the ninth time we’ve spotted an asteroid before it’s struck Earth. This time the asteroid was discovered by Jacqueline Fazekas at the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. Jacqueline discovered the object about eight hours before its predicted impact. Currently, the asteroid is named CAQTDL2.
BIG NEWS! CSS observer Jacqueline Fazekas has just discovered a small meteoroid that will harmlessly impact with Earth’s atmosphere in about 8 hours over the Western Pacific. The object (called CAQTDL2) is small, a few feet in diameter. Attached are the discovery images. pic.twitter.com/js7qHNiZq0
— Catalina Sky Survey (@catalina_sky) September 4, 2024
Why the discovery is a good thing
We’re getting better are spotting asteroids before they hit Earth. Here was a discovery that caused a stir in March 2022 before it hit hours later. And here’s another example from earlier this year.
This detection is actually great news! This is only the ninth time that humankind has discovered an asteroid before it impacts Earth and is a sign of our improving planetary defence capabilities.
Take a look at this graphic:
And find out more about the…
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) September 4, 2024
Bottom line: A small asteroid will harmlessly hit Earth’s atmosphere above the northern Philippines around 16:46 UTC on September 4, 2024.