Several observatories in China have successfully captured rare images of a falling near-Earth asteroid, formally designated as 2024 XA1. This achievement marks a significant milestone in global asteroid monitoring and early warning capabilities.
The asteroid, estimated to be between 75 centimeters and one meter in diameter, was first discovered by a University of Arizona telescope at 5:55 a.m. (UTC) on December 3. Less than 12 hours later, at 4:15 p.m. (UTC), it entered Earth’s atmosphere over eastern Siberia, igniting into a bright fireball.
China’s strategic geographic location played a crucial role in monitoring the event. The Lijiang branch of the Yunnan Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) detected the asteroid between 3:10 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (UTC) on December 3, just hours before it impacted Earth.
“By formulating an observation plan based on forecast information, our team successfully captured images of the asteroid within the hour before its fall,” said Zhang Xiliang, a researcher at the Lijiang observatory. “This achievement provides solid scientific support for China’s efforts in early warnings and defense against near-Earth asteroids.”
The Lijiang observatory, situated at an altitude of over 3,200 meters, boasts one of the best night sky observation sites in China. Its 2.4-meter telescope, the largest general-purpose optical astronomical telescope in East Asia, is capable of tracking and observing fast-moving targets like near-Earth asteroids with high precision.
Other Chinese observatories also contributed to the monitoring efforts. The Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) captured images approximately 42 minutes before impact, while telescopes at the Lenghu observatory in northwest China’s Qinghai Province and the Xingming Observatory in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region also recorded the event.
Within two hours following the impact, the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union received a total of 64 observations from around the world, officially designating the asteroid as 2024 XA1.
The destructive potential of near-Earth asteroids underscores the importance of early detection and warning systems. “Most near-Earth asteroids are not detected before they impact Earth due to our limited observation capacity,” Zhang noted. “Continuous improvement in monitoring capabilities is crucial for the safety of humanity.”
The increasing success of asteroid impact predictions highlights advancements in global near-Earth asteroid monitoring. The PMO is committed to researching methods to monitor and predict near-Earth asteroids and actively advocates for the construction of a next-generation near-Earth object monitoring and warning network.
China’s active participation and significant contributions to global asteroid monitoring efforts demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding Earth from potential asteroid threats. The collaboration between international observatories reinforces the global importance of shared knowledge and resources in the field of space observation.
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China's observatories capture images of falling near-Earth asteroid
cgtn.com
