December 17, 2017 will see an interesting astronomic event in the form of object 3200 Phaethon approaching our planet. This is a fairly large asteroid nearly 5 kilometers in diameter, which will fly past the Earth within 10 million kilometers, close by space standards.
The asteroid derives its name from its unusual orbit that in perihelia brings it closer to the Sun than any other named asteroid (20 million kilometers). To compare: Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun in the Solar system, is 46 million kilometers from the Sun.
Comment: This is the closest crossing by one of many asteroids threatening our planet of late:
- Close call? Asteroid could pass Earth by 11k miles, 95% closer than the moon
- House-sized asteroid will come 'damn close' to Earth next week as it passes only 27,000 miles away
- Nearly three-mile wide Asteroid Florence will pass close to earth on September 1st
- Close pass by asteroid 2017 GM
- Asteroid 2017 DG16 to fly by Earth at 0.34 LD - 5th known NEA to flyby Earth within 1 lunar distance since January 8, 2017
Comment: The activity in our sky is increasing and in the last week or so there have been at least these sightings of meteor-fireballs:
(8th Nov) Bright meteor fireball explodes over northern Germany
(13th Nov) Impressive fireball blazes over Toledo, in the South of Spain (VIDEO)
(14th Nov) 'Blue sphere with green tail' meteor fireball seen over Alsace, France
(15th Nov) Another bright meteor fireball explodes over Germany (VIDEOS)
(15th Nov) Meteor fireball recorded over Ohio
(15th Nov) Fireball streaks across Phoenix sky (VIDEO)
(15th Nov) Bright fireball-meteor lights up sky over San Juan, Argentina
And for a more in-depth look at the recent events check out: (16th Nov) Incoming! Bright bolide explodes over northern Finland (VIDEOS)