Sunday, February 16, 2025

Siberian Skies Ignited: Small Asteroid Impact

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Asteroid burning up in the atmosphere above Siberia">

An asteroid about 70 centimeters in size was seen by scientists just hours before it burned up harmlessly in the sky above Siberia.

The European Space Agency (ESA) warned people in Siberia about the asteroid’s bright light in the sky at 11.15 pm local time.

Astronomer Alan Fitzsimmons from the UK said the small asteroid posed no danger but would create a bright fireball in the sky.

Scientists can now detect small asteroids early, like the one named C0WEPC5, the fourth predicted to hit the Earth this year.

Early detection allows astronomers to study asteroids and collect fragments for research. If we find larger dangerous asteroids approaching Earth, we may be able to change their path or evacuate areas at risk.

Map showing the predicted location where the <strong>asteroid</strong> would hit the atmosphere in Siberia

NASA and ESA track asteroids with telescopes to understand and predict their orbits better.

The asteroid was spotted by NASA’s ATLAS system, giving scientists a week’s warning of its impact.

Fitzsimmons said it was a win for science and a distraction for people in Siberia.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Asteroid /ˈæs.tə.rɔɪd/ (noun): A small rocky body orbiting the sun often found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
  2. Harmlessly /ˈhɑːrmləslɪ/ (adverb): In a way that does not cause harm or injury.
  3. Detection /dɪˈtɛk.ʃən/ (noun): The action or process of identifying the presence of something.
  4. Fragment /ˈfræɡ.mənt/ (noun): A small part broken or separated from something.
  5. Orbit /ˈɔːr.bɪt/ (noun): The curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft around a star planet or moon.
  6. Evacuate /ɪˈvæk.ju.eɪt/ (verb): To remove someone from a place of danger to a safer location.

How much do you know?


What warning did the European Space Agency give to people in Siberia regarding the asteroid?
A. Tsunami alert
B. Bright light in the sky
C. Coming meteor shower
D. Solar eclipse


Who spotted the asteroid C0WEPC5?
A. NASA
B. ESA
C. Alan Fitzsimmons
D. ATLAS system


What is one of the benefits of early detection of asteroids mentioned in the text?
A. Creating light shows in the sky
B. Changing the path of dangerous asteroids
C. Evacuating areas at risk
D. Collecting fragments for research


What did Alan Fitzsimmons describe the asteroid as?
A. Dangerously large
B. Harmless but bright
C. A comet
D. A meteorite


What time did the ESA warn people in Siberia about the asteroid?
A. 6 AM local time
B. 8 PM local time
C. 11:15 PM local time
D. 2:30 PM local time


How many asteroids were predicted to hit the Earth that year?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four


Alan Fitzsimmons stated that the small asteroid posed a danger to Earth.


NASA and ESA track asteroids to better understand and predict their orbits.


The asteroid was detected by the ATLAS system giving scientists a month of warning about its impact.


Early detection of asteroids allows astronomers to evacuate areas at risk.


Astronomers can study asteroids when they are detected early.


Alan Fitzsimmons described the asteroid as a win for science and a concern for people in Siberia.


The European Space Agency warned people in Siberia about the asteroid's bright light at pm local time.


The asteroid C0WEPC5 was the predicted to hit the Earth that year.


NASA and ESA track asteroids with telescopes to understand and predict their better.


Early detection allows astronomers to study asteroids and collect fragments for .


If larger dangerous asteroids are detected approaching Earth, we may be able to change their path or evacuate areas at .

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