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.
Bright fireball observed over southeastern Brazil
A bright fireball was observed over Brazil at approximately 00:29 UTC on November 28, 2024, with sightings reported across 10 cities in three southeastern regions.
Asteroid 2024 VR4 flew past Earth at 0.07 LD
A newly discovered asteroid designated 2024 VR4 flew past Earth at a distance of just 0.07 LD / 0.00020 AU (29 300 km / 18 200 miles) from the center of our planet at 08:52 UTC on November 11, 2024.
Very bright fireball lights up sky over Montana on November 13, visible across Canada and U.S.
A very bright fireball was observed over northwestern Montana at 06:33 LT (13:33 UTC) on November 13, 2024, lighting up the early morning sky for 3 to 7 seconds before it disappeared in a bright flash. The American Meteor Society (AMS) received 115 reports from residents in parts of Canada and the United States.
Asteroid 2024 UG9 flew past Earth at just 0.02 LD – second closest of the year
A newly discovered asteroid designated 2024 UG9 flew past Earth at a distance of 0.021 LD / 0.00006 AU (8 850 km / 5 499 miles) from the center of our planet at 12:42 UTC on October 30, 2024. This places it about 2 479 km (1 540 miles) from Earth’s surface.
