Clear fireball shot as Japan probe re-enters Earth

A capsule containing asteroid samples released from a Japanese craft, which could provide clues to origin of solar system and life on our planet, re-entered Earth's atmosphere early Sunday.

It briefly turned into a fireball as it re-entered atmosphere 120 kilometers (75 miles) above Earth.

At about 10 kilometers (6 miles) aboveground, a parachute was to open to slow its fall and beacon signals were to be transmitted to indicate its location.

signals indicated capsule landed safely in a remote, sparsely populated area of Woomera, Australia, said JAXA official Akitaka Kishi.

He said JAXA staff were to fly a helicopter for aerial search of its location.

capsule successfully detached from 220,000 kilometers (136,700 miles) away in a challenging operation that required precision control, Japan Aero Exploration ncy said.

Hayabusa2 left asteroid Ryugu, about 300 million kilometers (180 million miles) away, a year ago.

After it released capsule, it moved away from Earth to capture ims of capsule descending toward planet as it set off on a new expedition to ar distant asteroid.

About two hours later, JAXA said it h successfully rerouted Hayabusa2 for its new mission, as beaming staff exchanged fist and elbow touches at ncy's command center in Sagamihara, near Tokyo.