In a spectacular astronomical event, an asteroid measuring approximately 2 meters in diameter created a fireball over northeastern Siberia on October 24, 2023. This phenomenon was confirmed by NASA’s Near-Earth Object program, which indicated the asteroid, known as COWECP5, was not on a collision course with Earth. NASA reported that the fireball produced by the asteroid was brighter than the full moon, which resulted in a stunning visual display. The fireball lit up the skies over the Russian region, particularly near the city of Churapcha in the Republic of Sakha. Eyewitnesses reported the sighting of a bright flash that illuminated the landscape and produced a loud boom, akin to an explosion. ‘It was like a big flash of light, and then we heard a thundering sound,’ one resident recounted, expressing astonishment at the rare occurrence. Experts from NASA emphasized that such fireballs are common and typically disintegrate in the atmosphere, posing no threat to life on Earth. ‘These events are spectacular to witness but pose no risk to us,’ explained Dr. Planet, a leading researcher at NASA. The agency also noted that this fireball was deemed harmless and demonstrated the effectiveness of its monitoring systems in tracking near-Earth objects. With over 30,000 asteroids documented, NASA continues to work on enhancing its detection and tracking capabilities to safeguard Earth from potential threats from space.
NASA Confirms Asteroid Creates Harmless Fireball Over Siberia
