WATCH: Asteroid Illuminates Night Sky With Bright Flash Before Landing In Russia; Netizens In Awe
The asteroid, approximately 70 cm in diameter, was similar in size to previous asteroid entries like 2022 WJ, 2023 CX1, and 2024 BX1.
An asteroid entered the atmosphere of Earth on Wednesday and made landfall in the Yakutia region of Russia. It sparked with a bright flash illuminating the sky before disappearing. The event took place at approximately 1:15 a.m. local time (1615 GMT). The scene captured on the phone went viral on social media.
According to a report by news agency Reuters, the asteroid, approximately 70 cm in diameter, was similar in size to previous asteroid entries like 2022 WJ, 2023 CX1, and 2024 BX1, which also produced striking flashes upon entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Video of the 70cm asteroid that entered earths atmosphere over northern Siberia today ☄️ pic.twitter.com/YABlrPRtaO
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) December 3, 2024
Footage from Yakutia captured a bright flash as the asteroid descended rapidly before disappearing into the sky. Fortunately, no damage was reported after the event. The European Space Agency provided additional information about the asteroid's trajectory on social media platform X.
☄️ Asteroid #C0WEPC5 (temporary designation) entered Earth's atmosphere at 16:15 UTC/17:15 CET, creating a fireball over Yakutia witnessed by people in the region.
— European Space Agency (@esa) December 3, 2024
The object was discovered roughly 12 hours ago and is thought to have been around 70 cm across.
Thanks to… https://t.co/ohya9xsEak
The asteroid was spotted approximately 12 hours before entering Earth's atmosphere, with experts confirming it fragmented into several pieces upon entry. The debris is thought to have dispersed across a remote, forested area in Yakutia.
Yakutia's emergency ministry stated that all relevant authorities had been alerted in advance of the asteroid's approach, and no damage was reported following its descent. "Residents of Olekminsk and Lensk districts were able to observe in the night a tail similar to a comet and a flash," it said, Reuters reported.
About Asteroid
According to NASA, asteroids are rocky remnants that have formed during the formation of the solar system, dating back billions of years. It is found orbiting our Sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt. The range in size of asteroids lies from Vesta – the largest asteroid at about 329 miles (530 kilometers) in diameter – to bodies that are less than 33 feet (10 meters) across. The combined mass of all the asteroids is less than that of the Moon of the Earth.
Social Media Users React To Video
Reacting over the entry of asteroids, one of the users said, "70 centimeters?!? That’s not an asteroid. That’s an asterette."
Another said, "in Chile we see those everyday Just go to the beach anytime there's no clouds especially in the mid north La serena to Copiapo.
"WOW Siberia must be the most Asteroid hit area of Planet Earth, " another also said.
The next said, "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!"
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