An asteroid that fell to Earth in 2022 and exploded in a stunning green fireball above Canada was the smallest space rock ever properly measured, a new study suggests. The diminutive asteroid, which was only discovered a few hours before it blew up, was around the same size as an average domestic cat.
In the early hours of Nov. 19, 2022, asteroid 2022 WJ1 violently broke apart in the lower atmosphere due to intense friction from the air. This briefly illuminated the skies above Niagara Falls, creating a bright flash of green light that streaked through the sky for around 10 seconds and triggering a loud sonic boom. The explosion happened in southern Ontario but was also seen by some people in the Toronto area and farther south in states including New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland, The New York Times reported at the time.
