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

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

Aperture photometry on asteroid trails: detection of the fastest rotating near-Earth object

Context. Near-Earth objects (NEOs) on an impact course with Earth can move at high angular speed. Understanding their properties, including rotation state, is crucial for assessing impact risks and mitigation strategies. Traditional photometric methods face challenges in collecting data on fast-moving NEOs accurately. Aims. This study introduces an innovative approach to aperture photometry tailored to analyzing trailed images of fast-moving NEOs. Our primary aim is to extract rotation state information from these observations, particularly focusing on the efficacy of this technique for fast rotators. Methods. We applied our approach to analyze the trailed images of three asteroids: 2023 CX1, 2024 BX1, and 2024 EF, which were either on a collision courses or performing a close fly-by with Earth. By adjusting aperture sizes, we controlled the effective exposure times to increase the sampling rates of the photometric variations. This enabled us to detect short rotation periods that would be challenging with conventional methods. Results. Our analysis revealed that trailed photometry significantly reduces overhead time associated with CCD read-out, enhancing the sampling rate of the photometric variations. We demonstrated that this technique is particularly effective for fast-moving objects, providing reliable photometric data when the object is at its brightest and closest to Earth. For asteroid 2024 BX1, we detected a rotation period as short as 2.5888 +- 0.0002 seconds, the fastest ever recorded. Our findings underscore the efficacy of trailed observations coupled with aperture photometry for studying the rotation characteristics of small NEOs, offering crucial insights for impact risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

落下前に発見された小惑星「2024 BX1」は珍しい「オーブライト」タイプの隕石と判明

小惑星「2024 BX1」は、発見後に地球に落下した非常に珍しい小惑星です。2024 BX1の一部は大気圏で燃え尽きずに隕石として地表に到達したと推定されており、実際に落下から約5日後にそれと思われる破片が見つかりました。

Fragments From That Asteroid That Exploded Above Berlin Have Been Recovered and They're Really Special

On January 21st, 2024, a meter-sized asteroid (2024 BX1) entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded over Berlin at 12:33 am UTC (07:45 pm EST; 04:33 pm PST). Before it reached Earth, 2024 BX1 was a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) with an orbit that suggests it was part of the Apollo group. The fragments have since been located … Continue reading "Fragments From That Asteroid That Exploded Above Berlin Have Been Recovered and They're Really Special"

Scientists spotted an asteroid hours before it burned up over Germany

2024 BX1 is only the eighth object detected hours before it hit Earth, showing there's a way to go to detect potentially hazardous asteroids.

Feuerball über Berlin: Asteroid war eine Rarität

Relikte eines Feuerballs: Vor gut einer Woche raste ein rund einen Meter großer Asteroid in der Nähe von Berlin über den Himmel – jetzt wurden erste

Asteroid 2024 BX1 erleuchtet den Brandenburger Nachthimmel – Raumfahrer.net

Natural history museum reports further suspected meteorite finds

Over the next few days, the pieces will be examined for their chemical composition and origin in the laboratories of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin.