Here's what happened:
- Discovery: Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky spotted the asteroid just 3 hours before impact. This is only the 8th time an asteroid has been discovered before hitting Earth.
- Impact: The meter-sized asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere over Berlin, disintegrating as a meteor and producing a spectacular fireball. Thankfully, no major damage or injuries were reported.
- Significance: This event highlights the importance of continuous asteroid monitoring and detection efforts. Organizations like NASA and ESA track near-Earth objects (NEOs) to assess potential threats and improve our preparedness for future encounters.
If you'd like to learn more about:
- Details of the 2024 BX1 impact: You can find articles and videos online, such as those from Sky & Telescope, the European Space Agency, and SciTechDaily.
- Asteroid monitoring and future threats: Check out NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) website or ESA's NEO Coordination Centre.