Brightest Geminid fireball in 30 years of SPMN recorded over Spain
Spanish Fireball and Meteorite Research Network (SPMN) reported the brightest Geminid fireball observed in 30 years of its operation on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
Geminid meteor shower to light up skies on December 13 – 14
The much anticipated Geminid meteor shower of 2024 is set to peak during the night from Friday, December 13 to December 14, 2024. The Geminids typically have a broad peak, lasting around 24 to 36 hours, because the Earth passes through a dense section of debris from 3200 Phaethon over an extended period. However, this year, a waxing gibbous moon, approximately 90% illuminated, will be present in the sky, which may reduce the visibility of the fainter meteors.
Very bright fireball, sonic boom over Indiana, U.S.
A very bright fireball was observed over central Indiana at around 09:05 UTC (04:05 local time) on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. The event lasted about 3 – 5 seconds and was accompanied by a sonic boom.
Rare double lunar impact flashes captured hours apart on the same night
Two lunar impacts were recorded on December 8, 2024, by Japanese astronomer Daichi Fujii, who captured the events using high-speed recording equipment. The observations were made during routine skywatching activities, which coincided with a Saturn eclipse.
Very bright fireball over Hokkaido, Japan
A very bright fireball was observed over Hokkaido shortly after 01:00 local time (LT) on Thursday, December 5, 2024 — 16:00 UTC on December 4.
Daylight fireball over Kansas and Oklahoma
A daylight fireball was observed over Kansas and Oklahoma at around 13:15 CST (19:15 UTC) on December 2, 2024. The meteor fragmented into multiple pieces, with hues of orange, green, and blue reported. Witnesses noted its vivid visibility despite the broad daylight.
Double fireball event and aurora observed over Fairbanks, Alaska
Two fireballs were observed streaking across the sky over Fairbanks, Alaska, in the early hours of December 1, 2024, accompanied by a green aurora. The two fireball events occurred just two hours apart, creating a rare spectacle for early-morning skywatchers.
Large asteroid 2020 XR makes close approach to Earth at 5.7 LD, exactly 4 years after discovery
A large asteroid designated 2020 XR flew past Earth at a safe distance of 5.7 LD / 0.01477 AU (2.2 million km / 1.3 million miles) at 05:26 UTC on December 4, 2024 — exactly 4 years after its discovery. This is the closest approach of 2020 XR to planet Earth at least until December 2157.
Asteroid COWEPC5 to impact Earth over Russia on December 3
A newly-discovered asteroid currently designated COWEPC5 is expected to impact Earth’s atmosphere over Siberia, Russia at around 16:15 UTC (08:15 PST) on December 3, 2024. This is the 11th predicted Earth impactor on record – and the 4th so far this year.
Asteroid 2024 XA flew past Earth at 0.02 LD, the closest flyby of the year and second closest on record
A newly discovered asteroid designated 2024 XA flew past Earth at 0.02 LD / 0.00005 AU (7 726 km / 4 801 miles) from the center of our planet at 09:46 UTC on December 1, 2024. This is about 1 355 km (842 miles) above the surface, making it the closest asteroid flyby of the year.
