Fireballs, which are also known as meteor fireballs, occur in the night sky relatively frequently, although the exact frequency depends on several factors such as the observer’s location and the time of year.
According to NASA, on average, about once per hour, a meteor bright enough to be classified as a fireball will streak across the Earth’s atmosphere. However, this rate can vary greatly depending on the time of year and the observer’s location, with certain meteor showers such as the Perseids in August or the Geminids in December having much higher rates of fireballs.
Once again, astronomers have new homework to do. But that’s precisely the beauty of astronomy, right?
Say hello to the Sar2667 asteroid
The night sky was recently illuminated by a spectacular fireball just after it was detected in space. The small asteroid was first noticed by astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky at the Konkoly Observatory’s Piszkéstető Station, located approximately 100 km away from Budapest (Hungary), with a small telescope measuring 2 feet, according to Space.com.
The asteroid made its descent into the atmosphere at around 3:00 GMT on February 13.
The asteroid’s journey above England and France was a spectacular sight, as it traveled through the sky until it ultimately burned up, creating a brilliant display of light and energy. The event, which occurred on February 12th, 10 p.m. EST, was a memorable moment for those lucky enough to witness it, as the asteroid’s flight path was a rare and beautiful occurrence in the night sky.
Asteroids are fascinating objects in our solar system that capture the imagination of scientists and the general public alike. These small, rocky bodies are remnants of the early solar system and hold clues about its formation and evolution. Studying asteroids can also provide insight into the origin of life on Earth, as they may have brought water and organic compounds to our planet. Additionally, asteroids are rich in valuable minerals and other resources, making them important targets for future space exploration and exploitation.
