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‘Shooting star’ asteroid enters earth’s atmosphere above Channel

The European Space Agency tweeted that the asteroid was expected to safely enter the Earth’s atmosphere over northern France.

Lily Ford
Monday 13 February 2023 05:58 EST
One user, @KadeFlowers, posted a video from Brighton of the asteroid lighting up the sky (@KadeFlowers)
One user, @KadeFlowers, posted a video from Brighton of the asteroid lighting up the sky (@KadeFlowers)

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A small asteroid resembling a “shooting star” entered the Earth’s atmosphere on Monday morning, lighting up the night sky.

Many took to Twitter to post videos of the one-metre asteroid, spotted before 3am, named Sar2667.

The European Space Agency tweeted that the object had been detected and was expected to safely enter Earth’s atmosphere over northern France between 3.50-4.03am CET (2.50am-3.03am GMT).

Kade Flowers, from Brighton, captured the asteroid on camera as footage showed a bright ball of light travelling across the sky.

“I thought that this was the most amazing thing I have ever seen,” Mr Flowers, a clinical scientist for the NHS, told the PA news agency.

“I was so lucky to have recorded it during clear skies!”

It is just the seventh time an asteroid impact has ever been predicted before it happens.

“A sign of the rapid advancements in global asteroid detection capabilities!” the ESA wrote.

“In the area? Look out for a #ShootingStar”.

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