Scientists discovered asteroid hours before it entered Earth’s atmosphere

In a rare celestial event, A small asteroid dramatically entered Earth’s atmosphere and lit up the sky over Berlin in the early hours of January 21.. This space rock, called 2024 BXI, was not only an asteroid but one of the few asteroids that scientists had identified before it arrived, representing only the eighth such event in recorded history.

The discovery of 2024 BXI can be attributed to Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky, known for his work. asteroid tracking Sárneczky detected the asteroid and estimated its orbit with the 60 cm Schmidt telescope at the Piszkésteto mountain station.

An interesting discovery

NASA notified the public of the impending atmospheric entry to ensure audiences were prepared for the fiery spectacle. According to the estimate, The object, about 1 meter in diameter, turned into a bright fireball over the German city..

A video camera in Leipzig recorded the incident, which lasted only a few seconds. Although it disintegrated high above the ground, its remains may have reached Earth. Meteor producing west of BerlinAs suggested by meteor physics expert Denis Vida.

Difficulty identifying

Sárneczky’s study highlights that early detections are rare. The European Space Agency estimates that 99% of similar-sized near-Earth asteroids have not yet been discovered.

These space rocks present a significant challenge due to their size and proximity required for detection. Additionally, some manage to evade observation by hiding in the Sun’s glare, reminiscent of the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteorite that caused widespread damage and injuries.

Global space agencies are working harder to prevent a celestial threat. NASA’s NEO Surveyor and ESA’s NEOMIR aim to improve asteroid detection capabilities.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile promises to revolutionize our understanding of the solar system by quickly doubling the number of known asteroids. As technology advances, our ability to detect and mitigate these threats increases, ensuring that the skies remain a source of beauty.

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