Small Asteroid Impact Today Near Australia
Image via Batman111/Pixabay
Experts have announced that a small asteroid, approximately 1 meter (about 3 feet) across, is set to impact Earth today, September 6, 2026. The impact is expected to occur in the atmosphere near northwest Australia at 16:07 UTC (11:07 a.m. CDT), potentially producing a bright meteor visible in dark skies.
The asteroid has been designated as CERNQ52. This marks the 13th occasion when an asteroid has been discovered before its impact with Earth.
Key Details
- Discoverer: Mount Lemmon Observatory, part of the Catalina Sky Survey.
- Impact Time: Between 16:00-16:30 UTC.
- Impact Location: Near the Indian Ocean off northwest Australia.
Richard Moissl, Head of Planetary Defense for ESA, shared on social media:
“INCOMING! Our systems have calculated an atmospheric entry… of a harmless object discovered by Mt Lemmon survey with a diameter of ~0.8 m northwest of Australia over the ocean. The impact will likely cause a bright meteor.”
Implications of this Event
Adrien Coffinet noted that this might be the first Aten asteroid detected in space before impact. Unlike Apollo asteroids, which orbit outside Earth’s average distance from the Sun, Aten asteroids travel within Earth’s orbit.
Image via Richard Moissl/NEO ESA
Report the Meteor
If you live in the area and spot the meteor, please report it to the International Meteor Organization. If you capture an image, share it with the EarthSky Community Photos.
Summary
A small asteroid will harmlessly burn up upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere near Australia, presenting a unique opportunity for skywatchers.
For more information on asteroid sizes, watch this video.
Author: Kelly Kizer Whitt
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About the Author: Kelly is a seasoned science writer focusing on astronomy, with numerous publications including children’s books.
