On September 4, a small asteroid named 2024 RW1 burned up in the atmosphere above Luzon Island, Philippines. As per the Catalina Sky Survey, the asteroid, roughly 1 metre in diameter, posed no threat as it entered the atmosphere at a speed of 17.6 kilometres per second. NASA confirmed that these events happen every two weeks, though rarely observed. Videos were shared online despite the cloudy skies caused by Typhoon Yahi. NASA and ESA’s planetary defence efforts remain in focus, with upcoming missions like China’s asteroid deflection plan for 2030 and NASA’s ongoing monitoring of near-Earth objects.
NASA and ESA’s Ongoing Planetary Defence
NASA’s planetary defence initiatives, including the DART mission, successfully altered an asteroid’s path in 2022. With future efforts like the NEO Surveyor and China’s asteroid mission, monitoring potential threats continues to evolve. The European Space Agency (ESA) remarked that this was only the ninth asteroid ever detected before impact.
Typhoon and Asteroid Visibility
Videos of the event surfaced online despite challenges from Typhoon Yahi, which is currently equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. This storm has been affecting northern Luzon, making the sighting more difficult. While this particular asteroid posed no risk, it drew excitement from both researchers and the public.
Upcoming Asteroid Flyby
Looking ahead, another asteroid named “2024 ON” will pass by Earth soon, measuring approximately 720 feet wide. According to the Virtual Telescope Project, it will pass at a safe distance but offer sky-gazers a rare chance to witness such a cosmic event from the Northern Hemisphere.