Large Fireball From Space Crashes Into Atlantic

A large fireball from space crashed into the Atlantic earlier this month - but it was barely noticed.

The very bright meteor exploded in the air 620 miles off the coast of Brazil, releasing the energy equivalent to 13,000 tons of TNT - the same as the first atomic weapon that levelled Hiroshima.

It is the largest incident of its type since February 2013 when a fireball exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, leaving more than 1,600 people injured.

The latest fireball measured around seven metres across and entered the Earth's atmosphere at 41,600mph.

Researcher Phil Plait said: "Had it happened over a populated area it, would’ve rattled some windows and probably terrified a lot of people, but I don’t think it would’ve done any real damage."

NASA worker Ron Baalke tweeted the event after it appeared on the space agency's Near Earth Fireball Report page.

While it was unlikely that anyone saw or filmed it, it is likely to have been picked up by the military which monitors atmospheric events.

Mr Plait said: "Impacts like this happen several times per year on average, with most going unseen."

NASA tracks thousands of near-Earth objects, and around 1,600 are regarded as potentially hazardous.

Larger meteors pose more of a risk.

A 30-metre-wide rock may pass close to Earth next month, but NASA experts have said there is no reason to worry.

There are no significant impacts expected on Earth for the next century or so.

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