Google removes asteroid doodle from homepage following Russian meteor shower
Google has removed an animated doodle illustration of an asteroid from its homepage after a meteor exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, injuring hundreds.
Google's moving doodle was put up to mark the 150ft (45m) asteroid passing so close to Earth last night that it went lower than some communications satellites.
Its homepage showed the second "G" in Google moving out of the way as the asteroid, named Asteroid 2012 DA14, fell into the opening.
However, it was withdrawn on Friday morning following the news that up to 950 people had been hurt after the meteor broke up above the Russian city.
A Google spokesperson told ABC News: "Out of respect for those injured in the extraordinary meteor shower in Russia earlier today, we have removed today's doodle from the Google homepage. The doodle was created to mark Asteroid 2012 DA14 passing Earth."