Left Image taken at 20:34:11 on Dec. 3, 2024, Beijing Time shows the asteroid during its approach. The right image was captured 42 minutes before impact at 23:33:08 on Dec. 3, 2024, Beijing Time by the Yaoan high-precision telescope. (Photo/Purple Mountain Observatory)
(ECNS) -- China successfully observed an asteroid impact on Tuesday UTC, which marks the 11th predicted collision, according to Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
China’s observations captured images 42 minutes before impact on Tuesday night, with advanced facilities, including the Yaoan 0.8-meter high-precision telescope, Lenghu 0.7-meter multi-application survey telescope array (MASTA), and Mozi 2.5-meter telescope.
Based on global observation data compiled by the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Minor Planet Center (MPC), the Purple Mountain Observatory accurately predicted the asteroid's atmospheric entry at 16:15 Tuesday UTC, at coordinates 60.80°N, 118.98°E. The prediction closely matched the official MPC announcement, demonstrating a high level of precision.
The asteroid, estimated to be 0.75 to 1 meter in diameter, was first detected at 05:55:16 UTC on Tuesday by the University of Arizona's Bok 2.3-meter telescope. It was then provisionally designated as C0WEPC5 and added to the near-Earth object confirmation page for verification.
Following initial detection, observatories in the United States conducted follow-up observations. Based on 16 data collected over approximately three hours, the European Space Agency (ESA) issued an impact prediction: The asteroid would enter Earth's atmosphere over Siberia (61.01°N, 119.98°E) at 16:15 UTC ± 5 minutes on Tuesday.
Two hours after the asteroid impact, the IAU received 64 observation reports from around the world. Based on the collected data, the asteroid was officially designated as 2024 XA1, and its atmospheric entry coordinates were refined to 60.5°N, 119.0°E.
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