Asteroid ignites Philippine sky in a fiery blaze as it burns through Earth’s atmosphere
asteroid named 2024 RW1 burned up in Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines on Wednesday, shortly after being discovered by astronomers in Arizona. The celestial event produced a green fireball followed by an orange tail, captivating skywatchers and igniting interest across the globe. NASA confirmed that early Wednesday afternoon, the one-meter-sized asteroid broke apart in the atmosphere over Luzon Island.
Astronomers in Arizona discovered the asteroid only a few hours before it entered Earth's atmosphere. Dramatic footage of the incident was shared online, showing a bright green fireball lighting up the sky and creating a stunning visual spectacle. The European Space Agency noted that 2024 RW1 is just the ninth asteroid ever to be detected before impact, showcasing advancements in the ability to foresee near-Earth objects.
“There was a brilliant flare in the sky as the asteroid burnt up over the Philippine shore,” said NASA. The quick detection and subsequent observation underscore the increasing capacity of astronomers to identify and track near-Earth objects, which is crucial for planetary defense.
Raymon Dullana, a skywatcher, shared footage of the event on social media, stating, «Here's how Asteroid RW1 looks like from Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines. Best shot so far!!!
