This is what asteroid RW1 looks like from Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines. The best photo yet! image.twitter.com/eYgQsHqxFP
— Raymón Dullana (@raymongdullana) September 4, 2024
Click on the video above to watch the asteroid's fiery entry into our atmosphere and hear from excited witnesses.
No damage is caused when a small asteroid hits Earth's atmosphere
A small asteroid, about 3 feet (1 meter) wide, struck Earth's atmosphere around 12:39 a.m. PHST on Thursday, September 5, 2024 (16:39 UTC September 4, 2024) over Lal-lo, Cayagan, Philippines.
The International Astronomical Union designated the object 2024 RW1NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office reported the attack via X.com.
This asteroid, which safely impacted Earth's atmosphere earlier today, has been designated 2024 RW1.
For more information about #planetarydefense At NASA, visit: https://t.co/ocUZAjvrlE
— NASA Asteroid Observatory (@AsteroidWatch) September 4, 2024
An alert was issued by the European Space Agency Long before the object arrived, the asteroid, as expected, burned up in Earth's atmosphere and created a dazzling green fireball as it fell, but there is a chance some meteorites may have reached the ground.
The videos of the event are spectacular.
Hundreds of Filipinos, alerted to the asteroid's imminent arrival, waited and watched the sky. And many captured the fireball passing over their heads… and then exploding!
??????? ?? ?????, ???????? ???? ?!!!! ??
Here is a clear image of the long-awaited small asteroid 2024 RW1 (#CAQTDL2) burning brightly in a greenish 'fireball' over Lal-lo, Cagayan at around 12:39 AM PhST, September 05, 2024. Did you see it too?
?… photo.twitter.com/B3oAm6nNdD
– CienciaKonek (@sciencekonek) September 4, 2024
Asteroid 2024 RW1!photo.twitter.com/cR3Y7Xm1D3
— ?? (@wandershy_) September 4, 2024
2024 RW1 seen from Ballesteros, Cagayan, Philippines.
Copyright of the owner
?: Emmanuel Unir#Asteroid#2024RW1 image.twitter.com/8fsRItkZWS— Tony (@Lewls_T) September 4, 2024
Finding small asteroids before they impact is rare
This is only the ninth time we've detected an asteroid before it hits us. And it was Jacqueline Fazekas who did it. Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, which discovered this asteroid about eight hours before impact. The asteroid had the provisional designation CAQTDL2. It has since been renamed 2024 RW1.
UPDATE: The ~1 m asteroid discovered this morning is expected to hit Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines near the island of Luzon at 16:46 UTC today.
However, nearby Tropical Storm Yagi/Enteng will make fireball viewing difficult.
Stay safe everyone! https://t.co/SwzByqOlgp image.twitter.com/GrMxi6MaNc
— European Space Agency (@esa) September 4, 2024
Why the discovery of a small asteroid is positive
Here's the good news! We're becoming more and more capable of detecting asteroids before they hit us. There was a discovery here which caused a stir in March 2022 before it came to fruition hours later. And here it is Another example since the beginning of this year.
This detection is great news. It is the ninth time that humanity has discovered an asteroid before it hits us and it is a sign that we are improving our planetary defense capabilities.
Take a look at this chart: https://t.co/jNz2KNE7tb
And find out more about…
— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) September 4, 2024
The International Meteor Organization said:
…the highlights will be a large fireball and the possible recovery of meteorites, but it remains a dramatic event of great scientific value.
If you saw or recorded the event, please send your observations to the International Meteor Organization here.
Bottom line: A small asteroid harmlessly impacted Earth's atmosphere over the northern Philippines at around 16:39 UTC on September 4, 2024. Here are the incredible videos recorded by locals.
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