UNITED KINGDOM: An asteroid, known as SAR 2667, exploded over the English Channel early this morning, causing a bright flash and a loud boom that was witnessed by many across the southeast coast of England and northern France.
SAR 2667’s explosion caught the attention of internet users
While the event caused a brief moment of panic, no injuries or damage have been reported.
The asteroid, estimated to be between 1 and 2 meters in diameter, entered Earth’s atmosphere at around 2:30 am local time. As it heated up from the friction of the atmosphere, it began to break apart, causing a bright flash that lit up the night sky.
The explosion was heard as far away as London, nearly 100 miles from the site of impact. The asteroid was first detected by the Catalina Sky Survey, a project focused on discovering and tracking Near Earth Objects (NEOs).
The survey, which is part of NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO), uses telescopes to scan the sky for any objects that could pose a threat to Earth. According to NASA, SAR 2667 was classified as a “small asteroid,” which is defined as an object that is less than 10 meters in diameter.
While these small asteroids are not usually large enough to cause significant damage if they were to impact the Earth’s surface, they can still pose a threat if they were to hit a populated area.
Despite the relatively small size of SAR 2667, the explosion serves as a reminder of the potential danger posed by NEOs. In recent years, scientists have been increasingly focused on identifying and tracking these objects in order to understand their trajectories and potential impacts.
NASA has a number of ongoing programs aimed at detecting and tracking NEOs, including the Asteroid Watch program and the Planetary Defense Coordination Office.
The NASA-run programs work to identify potentially hazardous asteroids and develop strategies for mitigating any potential risks. While the explosion of SAR 2667 may have been a startling event, it also serves as a testament to the importance of these programs.
By continuing to study and monitor NEOs, scientists hope to better understand these objects and mitigate any potential threats they may pose to Earth in the future. In the meantime, astronomers and amateur stargazers alike will be keeping their eyes on the sky, watching for any signs of future asteroid activity.
While the likelihood of a significant impact remains relatively low, events like the explosion of SAR 2667 serve as a reminder that the threat of NEOs is always present and that vigilance and preparedness are essential in protecting our planet from potential impacts.
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