A rare sighting of an asteroid on a collision course with Earth has been announced by the European Space Agency (ESA). The roughly 1-meter (3-foot) object, named CAQTDL2, is expected to burn up in Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines, near Luzon Island, at 12:46 p.m. ET (4:46 p.m. UTC) on Wednesday. This incredible discovery, made by the Catalina Sky Survey, marks only the ninth time that humanity has spotted an asteroid before it makes impact.

Asteroids of this size, approximately 1 meter in diameter, are estimated to strike Earth roughly every two weeks, though they are seldom detected before entering the planet's atmosphere. With the object being relatively small, it poses no threat as it is expected to disintegrate upon entry, creating a brilliant fireball.

However, there may be difficulties in observing this celestial phenomenon due to cloud cover caused by Typhoon Yagi. This powerful storm system, previously a tropical storm, has impacted the northern Philippines over the past few days and has now intensified to a Category 3 hurricane, located approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Luzon.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, locals in the area may still have the opportunity to witness a spectacular fireball lighting up the sky. The ESA has advised people to remain vigilant, as these rare occurrences serve as a reminder of the constant cosmic activity happening around our planet.

The discovery of CAQTDL2 serves as a significant step forward in our ability to detect potentially hazardous asteroids. Identifying such threats in advance is vital for developing strategies to mitigate any potential risks they may pose to Earth's inhabitants.

As experts continue to monitor the situation, astronomers and space enthusiasts alike are eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of this unique event. Although Typhoon Yagi's cloud cover may obstruct the view, the small asteroid's eventual disintegration promises to captivate those fortunate enough to witness it.

While the spectacle unfolds in the skies above the Philippines, scientists and researchers will undoubtedly gain valuable insights and data as they collect and analyze information about this remarkable encounter.