Astronomers and witnesses amazed as 2024 BX1 asteroid lights up the German night sky

A remarkable event unfolded in the night sky near Berlin as an asteroid, designated as 2024 BX1, descended to Earth, lighting up the atmosphere in a stunning display. Captivating footage captured the celestial event as the space rock, discovered by Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky, disintegrated into a ‘harmless’ fireball.

The 2024 BX1 asteroid made its unexpected appearance around 1:30 am local time, crashing near Nennhausen. Sárneczky, renowned for his prowess as an ‘asteroid hunter,’ detected the impending impact hours before the celestial body’s arrival, contributing to its classification as Sar2736 by The International Astronomical Union.

NASA, acknowledging the phenomenon, shared the news on X: “Heads Up: A tiny asteroid will disintegrate as a harmless fireball west of Berlin near Nennhausen shortly at 1:32 am CET. Overseers will see it if it’s clear!”

Social media has been buzzing with incredible footage of the asteroid’s descent, providing onlookers with a rare glimpse of a space rock falling from the sky. The event is particularly noteworthy as only a handful of asteroids are identified before making contact with Earth, with 2024 BX1 marking the eighth such discovery before impact.

This isn’t the first time Sárneczky has made such a discovery, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the field of asteroid observation.

While the recent asteroid event near Berlin was a visual spectacle, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of celestial encounters. As we gaze at the night sky, it’s a testament to the awe-inspiring wonders that unfold beyond our planet.