The bright green light emitted by the asteroid was likely due to its high magnesium content, and the explosion was visible from at least 250 miles away.

On September 4, 2024, a small asteroid approximately one meter wide, named CAQTDL2, struck Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines, marking only the ninth time an asteroid has been detected before its arrival.

Thanks to advance warnings from scientists, local residents were able to capture stunning photos and videos of the event, which created a bright fireball visible in the night sky.

The International Meteor Organization noted that the event could lead to a significant fireball and potential meteorite recoveries, enhancing its scientific value.

Although the impact generated a large fireball, cloudy weather from a nearby typhoon obscured visibility from the ground.

Authorities advised residents in Luzon and surrounding areas to remain alert, but fortunately, no notable debris or damage was reported.

The European Space Agency confirmed that while the object was harmless, it would create a visible fireball for those in the vicinity.

NASA and ESA actively monitor and catalog asteroids, with recent efforts including the successful Double Asteroids Redirect Test (DART) aimed at understanding how to deflect potentially hazardous asteroids.

Despite the asteroid's small size posing no significant threat, the incident provided valuable data for scientific research, reinforcing the importance of ongoing efforts in planetary defense.

The impact released energy equivalent to 0.2 kilotons of TNT, significantly less than the 440 kilotons released by the Chelyabinsk asteroid in 2013.

Most similar astronomical events typically occur over oceans or uninhabited regions, making this sighting particularly noteworthy as it occurred over the most populous island in the Philippines.

The detection of CAQTDL2 is seen as a positive step in spotting potential threats, with current survey systems effectively identifying incoming objects.