No deaths have been reported but the country’s government officials say the event could be linked to a large asteroid the size of an Olympic swimming pool that is due to pass the earth tonight.
Asteroid 2012 DA14 will be too small to see with the naked eye, flying by at a distance of 17,200 miles, just inside the orbit of the earth’s communications satellites.
Astronomers in Jersey will be keeping a close eye on the skies tonight as DA14 sweeps by between 7.30 pm, when it will be below the horizon, and 10 pm.
The secretary of the Jersey Astronomy Club, Jodie Masterman, said: ‘According to the UK the asteroid should be visible at around 9.30 pm,’ she said. ‘It won’t be visible with the naked eye, so you’ll need binoculars or a telescopic device of some kind.’
