Asteroid C0WECP5, on a collision course with Earth, was discovered on the morning of Tuesday, December 3. Interestingly, the object will enter the Earth's atmosphere over Siberia today after 5 p.m. The celestial body has no chance of causing any damage, but the fact that it was detected before the collision is very important for researchers.
Asteroid C0WECP5 was discovered Tuesday morning by scientists at the Kitt Peak Bok Observatory. The celestial body was directly on a collision course with Earth. According to calculations, it is expected to reach our planet around 5:15 p.m. Central European Time.
An important discovery
However, a close encounter with an asteroid does not mean the destruction of humanity – the object is less than a meter in diameter, which means it will burn up safely in the atmosphere. C0WECP5 will enter the atmosphere over northern Siberia, likely leaving a fireball in its wake.
Scientists point out that this is the 11th object in history that we managed to notice just before burning up in the atmosphere, and the fourth this year. As emphasized by Adam Hurcewicz from the website “About space and astronautics”, the possibility of early detection of such space rocks is particularly important for researchers.
– It allows us to prepare for observing such deorbitations and perhaps searching for the remnants of the object if they reach Earth in the form of meteorites – he explained.
ESA, “About space and astronautics – Adam Hurcewicz”
Main photo source: Shutterstock (illustrative photo)