A newly discovered asteroid, designated COWECP5, is on a collision course for Earth and is expected to streak through the sky over Eastern Siberia at 11:14am ET. The small space rock, measuring 27 inches in diameter, is expected to burn up in the atmosphere and poses no threat to humans on the ground.
According to NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, the asteroid was detected just seven hours before it is due to hit, which is only the 12th time scientists have accurately reported an asteroid before it struck. This event marks the fourth asteroid to hit Earth’s atmosphere this year.
The asteroid was spotted by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System and the NASA-funded Kitt Peak National Observatory, which uses the Aegis system to track near-Earth objects.
Scientists have assured that the asteroid’s small size means it will not do any damage when it hits the ground and there is no need for people to evacuate the area. According to a 2017 study, only asteroids that span at least nearly 60 feet in diameter are potentially lethal if they head toward Earth.
The early sighting of the incoming asteroid is a positive sign that astronomers were able to identify the asteroid so early, allowing for improved accuracy in predicting where an object will be years or decades in the future. As more asteroids are observed, astronomers can gain a better understanding of their movements and develop strategies for defending against potential threats.