Swindon residents spot ‘fireball’ in night sky as asteroid passes earth

A spectacular “fireball” lit up the skies over Swindon this weekend as a 33-meter asteroid made a close pass by Earth.

Residents across the town reported witnessing a series of green flashes and what appeared to be a “huge exploding star” both on Friday night and early Saturday morning (14 and 15 September).

While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, NASA had predicted that an asteroid named 2024 RN16 would pass Earth around these times, offering a possible explanation for the dazzling display.

The first sightings were reported on Friday, September 13, between 8:00 and 8:45 pm. Social media was soon buzzing with excited comments. One observer shared: “I saw it. Was amazing. Similar to a shooting star but much closer, bigger, brighter, and shot across the sky at a slower pace.” Another described, “At first, I thought it was a firework, but it didn’t explode like one—just like fire through the sky.”

The vibrant green color noted by many could be explained by the presence of nickel, a common component in the core of meteors.

Traveling at a staggering 65,095 mph, asteroid 2024 RN16 came within one million miles of Earth at 8:46 am on September 14, according to NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. Another smaller asteroid, 2024 RK13, was predicted to make an even closer pass that same evening, around 9:05 pm.

Fast-moving asteroids like these often appear as red, green, and blue dots or streaks across the sky due to their speed.

The Economic Times highlighted the potential danger of such cosmic visitors: “If an asteroid the size of 2024 RN16 were to hit Earth, the impact would be extremely destructive.” Thankfully, this asteroid—and many like it—will pass us by safely, as NASA continues to monitor the skies for potential risks, which, for a rock of this size, is expected only once every 990 years.

For now, Swindon residents can rest easy, knowing they’ve just witnessed a breathtaking and harmless cosmic event.

Picture credit: Public submission