Incredible moment asteroid crashes into Earth's atmosphere
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Incredible footage has captured the moment an asteroid smashed through Earth's atmosphere over Siberia. The space rock, designated COWECP5, appeared in the night sky at 11:14pm local time (11:14am ET) hours after NASA's asteroid detection system put out the warning.
![[Many locals in Siberia captured amazing footage of the asteroid breaking through Earth's atmosphere]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/03/19/92758247-14153703-image-a-6_1733255010704.jpg)
Locals posted videos on social media showing the asteroid streaking through the night sky and bursting into a ball of flames before disappearing into the abyss. The space rock exploded in a stunning red light over Yakutia, soaring over the bright city lights and was seen firing off flames as it flew over Olekminsk.
![[Locals in Siberia captured the asteroid as it streaked through the night sky at the time NASA predicted]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/03/18/92753209-14153703-The_asteroids_are_also_called_Near_Earth_Objects_NEOs_because_th-m-33_1733250361640.jpg)
The emergencies ministry in Yakutia said all official had been placed on alert as the asteroid approached, but noted that no damage had been reported after its descent. 'Residents of Olekminsk and Lensk districts were able to observe in the night a tail similar to a comet and a flash,' it said.
![[The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia reported that it went on high alert after reports of the asteroid was released]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/03/19/92757441-14153703-image-m-4_1733253668576.jpg)
A NASA-funded telescope in Arizona identified the asteroid about seven hours prior to impact, revealing it measured about 27 inches in diameter. The asteroid was discovered early Tuesday morning by a NASA-funded telescope. Astronomers predicted the space rock would hit Earth's atmosphere at 11:14am ET.
The small size meant that it would likely burn up in the atmosphere and posed no threat to people on the ground. COWECP5 is only the 12th time scientists have accurately reported an asteroid before it struck and the fourth to hit our planet this year.
