In a remarkable display of astronomical prowess, several observatories across China have captured rare images of a falling near-Earth asteroid, designated as 2024 XA1. This event marks the 11th successful early warning of an asteroid impacting Earth and the fourth such prediction in 2024, showcasing China’s significant contribution to global asteroid monitoring efforts.
The asteroid, estimated to be between 75 centimeters and one meter in diameter, was first detected by a University of Arizona telescope at 5:55 a.m. UTC on December 3. Due to its strategic geographic location, China played a crucial role in tracking the asteroid’s trajectory as it approached Earth.
The Lijiang branch of the Yunnan Observatories, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), observed the asteroid between 3:10 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. UTC on December 3 using its state-of-the-art 2.4-meter telescope. “The achievement made this time will provide solid scientific support for China’s efforts in early warnings and defense against near-Earth asteroids,” said Zhang Xiliang, a researcher at the Lijiang observatory.
At 4:15 p.m. UTC on the same day, 2024 XA1 entered Earth’s atmosphere over eastern Siberia, creating a brilliant fireball as it ignited. The entire timeline from the asteroid’s initial detection to its atmospheric entry was less than 12 hours, underscoring the importance of rapid response in asteroid monitoring.
Other Chinese observatories, including the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO), the Lenghu Observatory in Qinghai Province, and the Xingming Observatory in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, also successfully captured images of the asteroid. Within two hours of the impact, the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union had received 64 observations from around the world, officially designating the asteroid as 2024 XA1.
The Lijiang observatory’s 2.4-meter telescope, located at an altitude of over 3,200 meters, is one of China’s premier astronomical instruments for night sky observation. Its capabilities allow for high-precision tracking of fast-moving objects like near-Earth asteroids. The research team at Lijiang formulated an observation plan six hours before the asteroid’s expected entry, adopting a strategic approach that led to the successful capture of images just before its descent.
“Most near-Earth asteroids are not detected before they impact Earth due to our limited observation capacity,” Zhang explained. “Our success this time highlights the advancements in China’s observational technologies and our increasing role in global asteroid defense initiatives.”
The increasing success rate of predicting asteroid impacts has been attributed to the continuous improvement of global monitoring and warning capabilities. The PMO, which captured images approximately 42 minutes before the asteroid’s atmospheric entry, is dedicated to enhancing methods for monitoring and predicting near-Earth objects and advocates for the development of next-generation monitoring networks.
China’s active participation in detecting and tracking near-Earth asteroids like 2024 XA1 not only contributes to global scientific knowledge but also plays a vital role in safeguarding humanity from potential extraterrestrial threats. As observation technologies advance, timely detection and response to such celestial events become increasingly feasible, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in space observation.
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China's observatories capture images of falling near-Earth asteroid
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