Yakutia, Russia: In a spectacular celestial event, a small asteroid collided with Earth, creating a dazzling fireball that lit up the sky over Yakutia, Russia. The incident occurred on Tuesday night and was captured in a viral video that has since been widely shared on social media.
The asteroid, designated as C0WEPC5, was detected on a collision course with Earth earlier in the day by the European Space Agency (ESA). Measuring less than 70 centimetres (27.5 inches) in diameter, the asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 5:15 p.m. CET (11:15 a.m. ET), creating a brilliant fireball as it burned up over the remote region of Yakutia.
Despite its dramatic entry, the impact was deemed harmless by experts. The ESA confirmed that the asteroid’s small size meant it posed no significant threat, and it disintegrated upon entering the atmosphere, causing no damage or injuries. NASA also described the event as a “harmless fireball” and credited the University of Arizona’s Bok telescope for first detecting the asteroid’s approach.
Residents of Yakutia were treated to a natural light show, with many capturing the event on their phones and sharing the footage online. The video of the fireball has since gone viral, drawing attention from around the world.
This event marks the fourth detected asteroid strike of the year and highlights the advancements in astronomical observation and early warning systems. The ability to predict such impacts with precision underscores the importance of continued investment in space monitoring technologies.