Earlier this year, a remarkable celestial event captivated scientists and observers as asteroid 2024 BX1, the fastest-spinning asteroid ever recorded, entered Earth’s atmosphere and broke apart over Berlin. This occurrence presented a unique opportunity for researchers to examine the properties of such a rapidly rotating asteroid.
#### A Record-Breaking Spin
Asteroid 2024 BX1 set a new record with its incredible spin rate, completing one rotation every 2.6 seconds, which equates to approximately 30,000 rotations per day. Despite being no more than one meter in diameter, this small asteroid’s rapid rotation is unprecedented in the annals of asteroid observations.
Asteroids generally spin for various reasons, including collisions during their formation. While larger asteroids (over a kilometer in diameter) cannot sustain rapid spins due to their insufficient internal cohesion, smaller asteroids like 2024 BX1 are more compact and can endure much faster rotations.
#### Scientific Impact
The asteroid’s dramatic entry on January 21 saw it blazing through the atmosphere before disintegrating over Berlin. Some fragments survived the fiery descent, providing valuable material for scientific analysis. This event was especially significant because 2024 BX1 was tracked before impact, identified just three hours prior to entering the atmosphere.
Maxime Devogele and his team at the European Space Agency’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre in Italy captured images of 2024 BX1 before its impact. The asteroid’s high speed, approximately 50,000 kilometers per hour, and elongated shape made its rotational brightness variations conspicuous in these images.
#### Importance for Planetary Defense
Studying the spin rates and internal structure of asteroids like 2024 BX1 is crucial for planetary defense. Understanding their structural integrity and behavior upon entering Earth’s atmosphere helps scientists predict potential impact risks and develop mitigation strategies. As Devogele explains, the way an asteroid reacts upon atmospheric entry varies significantly based on its internal composition and strength.
This event underscores the importance of ongoing asteroid observation and research, providing insights that are essential for safeguarding Earth from future asteroid impacts.
