The hunt is on for meteorites from an object that hit the Earth’s atmosphere near Berlin over the weekend. Scientists are eager to collect both rock samples and photographs of the meteor’s descent. This event marks one of the most populated areas for an anticipated impact by a space rock. Although the timing of the event meant that only night owls were able to witness it, the increasing observations of the skies have allowed for more frequent alerts to be issued.
In the past, meteors would often come out of nowhere, leaving no opportunity for advance warning. However, with advancements in technology and sky observations, scientists are now able to spot small asteroids shortly before they hit the Earth’s atmosphere. This gives them the chance to issue alerts and inform the public. One such case gained attention when an incoming object was described as being the size of half a giraffe. Unfortunately, this particular space rock landed off the coast of Iceland, making it impossible to find any debris or potential observers.
Last year, a smaller asteroid burned up over the English Channel, thrilling photographers along the heavily populated coasts. The recent meteor, named 2024BX1, was visible from eastern Germany, Poland, and Czechia. If it had arrived a few hours earlier, millions of people might have witnessed it. However, it arrived at 1:32 am local time, not exactly a prime time for attracting crowds.
Despite the inconvenient timing, some people were able to witness the event. The prediction came from Krisztián Sárneczky, a prolific minor planet hunter who noticed a flicker in his images. His alert was shared by the International Meteor Organization and NASA Asteroid Watch, giving those who were awake and online a 75-minute warning. The IMO even provided links to webcams for those too far away to view the event in person.
Scientists are urging anyone who saw or recorded the meteor to report their observations. The more data they have, the better they can understand these events. While space rocks usually need to be larger to survive the atmosphere and reach the ground, there is speculation that the steep angle of entry and low velocity relative to Earth might have allowed pieces to survive. If this is the case, meteorite hunters have until the next snowfall to maximize their chances of finding fragments.
If any pieces are found, it would be the second fresh asteroid discovery of the year. Just a few days ago, fragments weighing 450 grams were collected from the Arizona desert after a fireball was reported by almost a hundred people across four American states. The assistance of the public, along with CCTV recordings and the AllSky7 video network, played a crucial role in pinpointing the location of the fragments near the California/Arizona border.
The hunt for meteorites continues, as scientists and enthusiasts alike hope to uncover more about these fascinating objects from outer space.