Watch: Large fireball seen shooting across sky over Southeastern US
Fireball Sighted Over Southeastern States
Early on Thursday, the American Meteor Society received multiple reports of a fireball sighting over various Southeastern states, including Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Video from drivers in these states shows a flashing light in the sky quickly traveling downwards. Experts from the society describe the fireball as a bolide, a large and rare fireball that creates a sonic boom.
Fireball vs. Meteor: What's the Difference?
A fireball is a meteor that shines brighter than magnitude -4, which is approximately the same magnitude as the planet Venus as seen from Earth. Fireballs typically occur during meteor showers when Earth passes through the debris path of a comet.
Bolides and Sonic Booms
Bolides are larger-than-average fireballs that often create a sonic boom as they move through the atmosphere. This happens when the fireball's velocity is faster than the speed of sound. Sonic booms can be heard from the meteor's trajectory and are often described as loud thunder or explosions.
The Science of Meteors
Meteors are space debris that enter Earth's atmosphere and become visible as they burn up. The scientific community is still learning about the composition and origins of meteors, and fireballs provide valuable research opportunities. Studies of their chemical composition help scientists understand more about the history of our solar system and its formation.
Similar Events in History
In 2013, a massive fireball exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, creating a shockwave that injured 1,200 people. It released the energy of roughly 30 atomic bombs and was the most significant meteor explosion in over a century.
Encouraging Meteor Sightings
The American Meteor Society has a program called the Fireball Tracking and Recovery Network (FTRN) that encourages people to report meteor sightings and contribute to scientific research. With the help of citizen scientists, researchers can better understand the origins and nature of these spectacular space events.
Here is your meta description: "A stunning fireball lights up the Southeastern US sky. Witnesses share jaw-dropping videos andexperts explain the rare phenomenon. Click for more on this extraordinary space event." And here are your keywords: primary keyword: fireball sighting secondary keyword: meteors, meteorites relevant phrase: space debris, space events, atmospheric entry topic keyword: scientific research, citizen science industry term: astronomy, astrophysics timely keyword: fireball tracking recovery network location: Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee
