Asteroid Detection and Impact Details
The asteroid was detected by astronomers from the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, who efficiently predicted its trajectory and site of entry. Its disintegration within the decrease ambiance was attributed to intense air friction, resulting in the fireball that was seen throughout southern Ontario and elements of the United States, together with New York and Ohio. According to The New York Times, the occasion additionally precipitated a loud sonic growth.
Observations of the asteroid have been made utilizing gear such because the 4.3-metre Lowell Discovery Telescope and Western University’s meteor digicam community, as per the study. These instruments captured the asteroid’s brightness and trajectory, enabling scientists to find out its dimension, which ranged between 16 and 24 inches.
Advancements in Asteroid Monitoring
Study co-author Denis Vida, a meteor physics specialist at Western University, stated in a press release that the unprecedented use of each telescopic and fireball digicam information allowed for extra correct evaluation of the asteroid’s dimension and composition. This strategy marks the primary occasion of such an in depth comparability, in line with the researchers.
The examine’s lead creator, Teddy Kareta, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory, emphasised within the publication that this methodology may improve future asteroid monitoring and characterisation efforts.
Meteorite Recovery Challenges
Although fragments of 2022 WJ1 have been anticipated to land in Lake Ontario, none have been recovered to this point, as per a NASA report. Phil McCausland, a planetary scientist at Western University, steered that meteorite items should still floor over time, as quoted within the examine. Researchers proceed to seek for potential remnants to additional examine the asteroid’s properties.
