NASA’s asteroid detection system, ATLAS, has identified a small asteroid, designated COWECP5, that is set to enter Earth’s atmosphere today, December 3, at 4:15 PM GMT. Measuring just 27 inches wide, the asteroid is expected to burn up upon entry, creating a “very bright fireball” visible over Siberia, northern Russia. Those within a few hundred kilometers of the entry point may witness this celestial event.
The asteroid was detected only seven hours before its projected atmospheric entry, showcasing ATLAS’s ability to spot and track objects on short notice. The European Space Agency’s planetary defense office pinpointed its impact corridor, further refining predictions about its path.
Professor Alan Fitzsimmons from Queen’s University Belfast remarked on humanity’s growing capability to detect and study such objects, stating this event will be “spectacular” for those in the viewing region. Though harmless, it highlights ongoing advancements in monitoring and planetary defense systems.
For perspective, experts note that asteroids under 60 feet in diameter generally pose no significant risk to Earth, ensuring that smaller space rocks like COWECP5 provide exciting yet safe astronomical spectacles.
