A meteor and an asteroid in the same day

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The skies over Russia lit up Friday morning as a meteor streaked across the sky. More than 1,000 people were injured by broken glass and debris sent flying by the shockwave. 

Scientists say the energy which was equivalent to the power of an atomic bomb that was released as the meteor broke up in the atmosphere.

When it's in the sky it's called a meteor but if it doesn't burn up and it hits the ground it's called a meteorite.

The Russian Academy of Science said the meteor was estimated to be about 10 tons and entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of at least 33,000 mph. It shattered into pieces at about 18 to 32 miles above the ground.

According to scientists, the meteor Friday morning had nothing to do with Asteroid 2012 DA14 that passed by the Earth Friday afternoon. 

I think it's probably a coincidence that the meteor and asteroid events are happening at the same time from what I've heard on the radio and there's so many things to worry about that things falling out of the sky is not one of them, “ said Buz Eisenberg of Ashfield.

“At this point I don't think about it much and I'm not concerned.” said Dee Gagner of Greenfield.

Some people think we will be hit by something eventually.

“I think it definitely could happen. I think it will in the future. I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. I think sometime but not in my lifetime it will hit,” said Brandon Nicholls of Southampton.

Experts say small meteorites strike the Earth about five to 10 times a year. Large meteors like the one in Russia on Friday are rarer, but still occur about every five years.

Now Asteroid 2012 DA14 passed by this afternoon at 2:24 and so far there have been no reports of damage. It's the closest known fly-by of an asteroid that big.