A breathtaking video captured by NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick aboard the International Space Station showcases an epic explosion over Earth. This mesmerizing spectacle, a vibrant teal-green flash, is believed to be a meteor exploding as it enters the planet’s atmosphere. Dominick, who has been actively documenting his celestial views from the station, slowed down the footage to one frame per second to highlight the event over the Nile River.
The object, likely a bolide or fireball, is a particularly bright meteor that occurs when a piece of rocky asteroid or icy comet enters Earth’s atmosphere and ignites. Dominick’s chance encounter with this celestial phenomenon was a result of his time-lapse setup over Northern Africa. He used a high ISO setting to capture the Milky Way Core, resulting in overexposed city lights in Cairo. While reviewing the footage, he stumbled upon the remarkable bolide.
This event comes amidst a flurry of asteroid encounters. Earlier this week, asteroid 2024 RW1 blazed through the sky over the Philippines, creating a bright green fireball. Fortunately, this event was harmless, with no reported injuries or damage. Astronomers were able to predict this event approximately eight hours before its impact, thanks to advancements in asteroid observation technology.
The event captured by Dominick occurred on September 2, while the Philippines fireball took place on September 4. While both events showcase the frequent activity of asteroids entering Earth’s atmosphere, Dominick’s capture is a reminder of the constant beauty and wonder that can be found in the cosmos, even within our own planetary neighborhood. The recent prediction of asteroid 2024 RW1 underscores the progress in our ability to monitor and understand these celestial objects, allowing us to prepare for and potentially mitigate any potential threats.
