{"id":788311,"date":"2024-09-04T07:41:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-04T12:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=788311"},"modified":"2024-09-04T07:41:51","modified_gmt":"2024-09-04T12:41:51","slug":"small-asteroid-to-hit-earths-atmosphere-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/?p=788311","title":{"rendered":"Small asteroid to hit Earth\u2019s atmosphere TODAY"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
A small asteroid, just discovered hours ago, will hit Earth\u2019s atmosphere above the Philippines around 16:46 UTC on September 4. Image via ESA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Small asteroid to hit Earth<\/h3>\n

Heads up! A small asteroid \u2013 approximately 1 meter (3 feet) wide \u2013 will strike Earth\u2019s atmosphere today (September 4, 2024) over the Philippines around 16:46 UTC according to the European Space Agency. That\u2019s after midnight tonight in the Philippines. And it\u2019s 11:46 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, September 4, for us in North America. The asteroid is expected to burn up in Earth\u2019s atmosphere above the area of Luzon. It\u2019s expected to create a bright fireball for anyone watching! If you\u2019re in the Philippines, go outside and look around 12:46 a.m. PHST on Thursday, September 5.<\/p>\n

This is only the ninth time we\u2019ve spotted an asteroid before it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\n

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<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Catalina Sky Survey (@catalina_sky) September 4, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Why the discovery is a good thing<\/h3>\n

We\u2019re 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\u2019s another example from earlier this year.<\/p>\n

\n

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. <\/p>\n

Take a look at this graphic: <\/p>\n

And find out more about the\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 ESA Operations (@esaoperations) September 4, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Bottom line: A small asteroid will harmlessly hit Earth\u2019s atmosphere above the northern Philippines around 16:46 UTC on September 4, 2024.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Kelly Kizer Whitt<\/h4>\n

View Articles\n <\/p><\/div>\n

\n
About the Author:<\/h6>\n

Kelly Kizer Whitt has been a science writer specializing in astronomy for more than two decades. She began her career at Astronomy Magazine, and she has made regular contributions to AstronomyToday and the Sierra Club, among other outlets. Her children\u2019s picture book, Solar System Forecast, was published in 2012. She has also written a young adult dystopian novel titled A Different Sky. When she is not reading or writing about astronomy and staring up at the stars, she enjoys traveling to the national parks, creating crossword puzzles, running, tennis, and paddleboarding. Kelly lives in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n