A massive fireball over Kentucky was heard and seen in 13 US states.
More than 200 people in several states, including Ohio, the Carolinas and Tennessee, among others, reported a bright fireball in the sky at 9:45 p.m. Thursday, according to NASA meteor observation.
The “very bright” fireball was a meteor that disintegrated 30 miles above Exie, Kentucky, near Bowling Green. The meteor’s fragmentation released the equivalent of 10 tons of TNT in energy, causing a pressure wave that some Americans heard as it traveled toward the ground.
“This wave is responsible for the noises heard by some eyewitnesses,” the organization said.
The fireball was about 20 inches in diameter, weighed 400 pounds, was traveling at 51,000 mph and was produced by a meteoroid, according to NASA.
More than 200 people in several states, including Ohio, the Carolinas and Tennessee, among others, reported seeing a bright fireball in the sky at 9:45 p.m. Thursday.
The “very bright” fireball was a meteor that disintegrated 30 miles above Exie, Kentucky, near Bowling Green.
It is unknown whether the event caused a meteorite to impact the Earth’s surface. Some fragments that may have survived entry into the atmosphere could have fallen near Alta Pass in the Blue Ridge Mountains, according to Fox’s time.
The meteorite could be seen from Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
“You may have heard that our area was experiencing some turmoil this morning due to an apparent meteor!” account X posted, focusing on news surrounding the grandfather.
‘A couple of cameras in our park captured the landscape fully lighting up just before 1:15 a.m., and we thought it would be fun to share our view of the phenomenon.’
“I’d never seen anything like it. It wasn’t like a comet… It didn’t have a long tail… But it was bright green and fast… It had to have hit on the right side of I-40 East, but I never saw an explosion. It was crazy.” other The viewer wrote.
The meteorite’s breakup released 10 tons of TNT energy, causing a pressure wave that some Americans heard as it traveled toward the ground.
The fireball was approximately 20 inches in diameter, weighed 400 pounds, was traveling at 51,000 mph and was produced by a meteoroid.
“I literally felt like I could have walked there because it seemed so close,” said Kelly W. of Harriman, Tennessee.
Mary M., of Olive Hill, Kentucky, said, “It was beautiful! The first one I’ve ever seen!”
“It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and experienced,” said Sue S., of Glenhayes, West Virginia.
Only about five percent of meteorites survive their descent to Earth.
About 500 meteorites reach the Earth’s surface each year, but they are very rarely recovered, according to Fox Weather.
About 500 meteorites reach the Earth’s surface each year, but they are very rarely recovered.
Parking lots were lit up during the explosion as seen from Grandfather Mountain