1. How large is the meteoroid expected to be?
Meteoroid to Strike Earth’s Atmosphere in France
A meteoroid is expected to safely strike earth’s atmosphere Sunday evening over France. The size of the meteoroid is estimated at 5 to 10 meters wide, making it a large and bright sight in the sky.
What is a Meteoroid?
A meteoroid is a small, rocky or metallic object that orbits the sun and is much smaller than an asteroid. These objects move at a high speed, sometimes very close to Earth, and can break into tiny pieces of dust or larger chunks as they make their way back into space.
How close will the Meteoroid be to Earth?
The meteoroid is predicted to be about 32 miles above the Earth’s surface and will be visible from France and other nearby countries. Since the speed of its travel is estimated to be in the range of 10 to 15 miles per second, the meteoroid should not pose a threat to anyone.
What should you look out for?
As the meteoroid passes through the skies, observers can expect a bright light of short duration. The meteoroid may have several fragmentations and give off colorful streaks of different sizes throughout its path as it enters the atmosphere.
Here are a few tips on how to best observe the meteoroid:
- Find a good spot – Search for a high place with an unobstructed view of the night sky.
- Timing is key – Expect these streaks to happen during the evening on or after sundown.
- Dress appropriately – Dress for the weather and use binoculars or a telescope to get a better view.
The meteoroid’s predicted path can also be monitored at AMS Meteors.
We can all enjoy this cosmic spectacle from the comfort of our homes, without the need for expensive equipment. Enjoy the stars!
In what is being called a once-in-a-lifetime event for most stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts, a small meteoroid is expected to safely enter the Earth’s atmosphere Sunday evening over France. The celestial event has been highly anticipated as the meteoroid is expected to burn up in a colorful display in the night sky.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has been tracking the progress of the meteoroid over the past several weeks and has estimated it to make its final descent over France on Sunday evening. The meteoroid, classified as a small “dog-sized” rock, is believed to have originated from the asteroid belt and began its journey towards Earth some time ago.
During its descent toward Earth, the meteoroid is expected to break up and eventually explode as it is heated up by the pressure of Earth’s atmosphere. Some astronomers have estimated the fireball produced from the meteoroid’s fragmentation could reach the magnitude of Venus in brightness. However, it is expected that this spectacle will be best visible for observers in certain areas of France, so all astronomy enthusiasts will want to plan accordingly.
Based on the ESA’s projections, this blue-colored fireball will peak in intensity at around 10:20 PM on Sunday evening, lasting for only a few minutes before completely dissipating into the night sky. Although this small meteoroid isn’t considered to be dangerous in any way, it is still anticipated to be a once-in-a-lifetime event, making it a “must-see” event for all those who can view it.
With the cosmic event quickly approaching, astronomy organizations and enthusiasts all around the world have been preparing and gearing up for the big night. Any observers that are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the meteoroid should make sure and capture the moment, as this will surely be a sight to remember for many years to come.
