A newly discovered asteroid collided with Earth on Monday, resulting in a spectacular fireball that could be observed across Europe.

According to a news release from the European Space Agency, at approximately 12:18 p.m. ET on Sunday, astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky spotted an asteroid at the Piszkéstető Observatory in Hungary, initially called Sar2667.

Within minutes, a second observation was made and reported to the International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center, Phys .Org reported.

According to the European Space Agency, the asteroid initially called Sar2667 was detected by astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky at the Piszkéstető Observatory in Hungary at around 12:18 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The Višnjan Observatory in Croatia confirmed the object about 40 minutes later.

Various impact assessment systems showed that the asteroid had a “100% impact probability” above the English Channel, the strip of the Atlantic Ocean between southern England and northern France.

Fortunately, astronomers said that the asteroid, now officially named 2023 CX1, was only 3 feet in size, posing no threat to the Earth or humanity.

Written by staff