On the morning of 06 October 2008, astronomer R. Kowalsky of Mount Lemmon Survey detected a small object (absolute magnitude H=30.4) now designated 2008 TC3.
According to NeoDys and Jpl Neo experts, the impact with the Earth atmosfere is almost certain and it should be at 0246 UTC of 07 October 2008. Fortunately this object is only a small chunk of rock few meters in size and should not survive passage through the atmosphere. In case some fragments should reach the ground, the impact zone has been located in the northern Sudan.
No damage is expected.
The entry in the atmosphere should be visible over northern Africa and possibly even over southern Europe.
Almost certainly 2008 TC3 will be the first impacting object discovered before entry into the Earth's atmosphere.
Here you can see our follow-up images of 2008 TC3 taken few hours before its entry in Earth's atmosphere (click on the image for a bigger version):
The discovery mpec:
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K08/K08T50.html
By G. Sostero, E. Guido and P. Camilleri
