Scientist told about the uniqueness of the asteroid that will soon enter the Earth's atmosphere

On Tuesday evening, December 3, an asteroid will enter the Earth's atmosphere. This is the 11th case in history when scientists have determined this phenomenon in advance and calculated the trajectory, Viktor Grokhovsky, head of the Extra terra consortium laboratory of the Ural Federal University (UrFU), told Izvestia.

In Telegram-channel UrFU noted, the asteroid will enter the atmosphere at 19:17 Moscow time. It is predicted that the fall will be in Yakutia, between the settlement of Olekminsk and Lensk.

"This is the eleventh case in our history, when in advance identified an asteroid, determined that it will collide with the Earth, calculated the trajectory. We expect the fall, we will look at what will come out of it," Grokhovsky said.

He specified that the estimated speed will be about 15-16 km / s at the entrance to the atmosphere. According to him, although this is hypersonic speed, but usually it is much higher.

"Although the size is small, it has a small speed. There are hopes, according to calculations, that something will reach the Earth. But a bright bolide is guaranteed," the scientist added.

Speaking about the value for science of this phenomenon, he noted that it relates to the issues of asteroid safety, and it is also important that in advance predicted the fall of the body from space to Earth.

Earlier, in early October, astronomer, employee of the Institute of Applied Mathematics named after M.V. Keldysh. MV Keldysh RAS Leonid Elenin told "Izvestia" that, according to the calculations of scientists, the asteroid 2024 PT5 will remain near-Earth and from time to time will approach the Earth. The next such phenomenon will occur before the New Year.