Researchers say a fireball that blazed across the sky Sunday night and was observed by hundreds of witnesses in five states was likely a piece of an asteroid.
The American Meteor Society received more than 300 reports from people who witnessed the strange, flaming object zipping across the sky in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
Listen to your favorite News/Talk station now on Audacy
Related
Anand Bellad saw the fireball in Bartonville, Texas around 8:50 p.m. Sunday. He said the blazing yellow light was in the sky for a little over 7 seconds. A dashcam in his car captured the phenomenon.
Some observers say the fireball also made a sound, with descriptions ranging from a crackling noise to a boom like a huge cannon.
Karen in Quinlan, Texas said, "This was not far away like a shooting star, this was more like a falling car. It had a long trail of flame behind it and as it moved closer the intensity of flame was more."
NASA Meteor Watch confirmed the event and provided additional information on the fiery streak. Researchers say the fireball was moving at a speed of 30,000 miles per hour and traveled 59 miles through the upper atmosphere before fragmenting into pieces just east of Avery, Texas.
Scientists say this was likely not part of the Perseid Meteor Shower because it was traveling in a different direction and going too slow. Instead, they think it was a small piece of an asteroid.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram