The asteroid appeared from Earth to be moving quickly in front of the stars as it passed safely within the moon's distance from Earth on Friday, February 15.
Amateur video broadcast on Russian television show an object speeding across the sky. There was loud boom and an intense flash. Fragments of the meteorite has been located in central Russia.
You can see the asteroid flyby, if you have a computer and can watch online. Otherwise ... you must be in the right place on Earth. And, still, it'll be tough.
Scientists are making plans to send the spacecraft on a route farther from Pluto, if needed, to avoid running the craft through "a dangerous gauntlet of debris."
On February 15, an asteroid passes only 17,200 miles from Earth. You won't be able to see it with the eye. Bookmark the links in this post for online viewing!
Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.