Before it shattered over Germany, the asteroid 2024 BX1 was clocked rotating once every 2.6 seconds – the fastest spin we have observed Long-exposur

Asteroid that broke up over Berlin was fastest-spinning one ever seen

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2024-05-02 19:00:26

Before it shattered over Germany, the asteroid 2024 BX1 was clocked rotating once every 2.6 seconds – the fastest spin we have observed

Long-exposure photo showing the trail of asteroid 2024 BX1 shortly before impact. The changes in brightness are caused by the asteroid’s spinL. Buzzi, Schiaparelli Astronomical Observatory, Italy (MPC 204)

Long-exposure photo showing the trail of asteroid 2024 BX1 shortly before impact. The changes in brightness are caused by the asteroid’s spin

Called 2024 BX1, the object – probably no more than 1 metre wide – entered Earth’s atmosphere on 21 January, breaking apart over Berlin, Germany. Some pieces survived the fireball and were recovered. It was a rare example of a tracked asteroid fall, in which the incoming rock is spotted before it encounters Earth, in this case just 3 hours ahead of the event.

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