The huge explosion of light was seen on August 2, with eyewitnesses across the eastern U.S. reporting a mystery object falling to Earth.
"Fireball meteors are fragments of rock or ice from asteroids or comets. In this case, it was likely an asteroid based on the apparent entry velocity, fragmentation characteristics and sonic effects," said Mike Hankey, an amateur astronomer and operations manager for the American Meteor Society.
"It is possible meteorites survived and are lying in the woods somewhere near the eastern border of Kentucky and Tennessee," Hankey toldMore than 70 people reported sightings of the fireball to the American Meteor Society. The observers were in locations across the eastern United States, starting in Ohio and stretching south to Georgia.
"I have always tried to pay attention to meteor showers and things of that nature and have been disappointed with what I'd seen. I've encountered some rare bright flashes but never on the magnitude I saw here," commented one Kentucky-based user, Nick M, on the society's website."This was the coolest thing I have ever witnessed," wrote Amanda W, also in Kentucky.
"It was the brightest and biggest meteor I have ever seen. It was the most elegant green ball arcing across the sky before it suddenly turned to a bright gold as it broke apart and disappeared," posted April H, from Tennessee. The comet that the fragment originated from is unknown, but it may have come from the inner solar system's debris field, which is filled with chunks of many asteroids and comets.should be covering? Do you have a question about fireballs? Let us know via [email protected].
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