Asteroid Strikes Earth Hours After Detection, 3rd 'Imminent Impactor' Of 2024

The asteroid was first observed on October 22 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey in Hawaii.

Last month, the Earth's atmosphere was bombarded by a small, boulder-sized asteroid just hours after it had first been detected, having evaded early impact monitoring systems. The object, designated 2024 UQ, was discovered just two hours before entering Earth's atmosphere, and fortunately, there was no real threat, since it measured only 3 feet (1 meter) in diameter.

The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, a four-telescope survey based in Hawaii for monitoring near-Earth objects, had discovered the asteroid on October 22. Within days of its detection, 2024 UQ disintegrated in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, off California, creating an "imminent impactor," or an impact where Earth-bound objects are detected hours before hitting the planet.

Also Read | London's Iconic Dogstar Nightclub Forced To Close Down Before Squatters Take Over