Asteroid Lights Up Siberian Sky in Near-Earth Encounter
A small asteroid, temporarily named C0WEPC5, entered Earth's atmosphere over Siberia on December 4, creating a spectacular fireball. Detected just 12 hours prior by NASA's ATLAS, it became the fourth 'imminent impactor' of 2024. The European Space Agency's alert system accurately predicted the impact time, and no damage was reported. This event highlights the improved capabilities of space agencies in detecting and tracking near-Earth objects, crucial for identifying potential threats.
