Skywatchers in multiple states were treated to a rare sight on Tuesday night as a meteor streaked across the sky. The fireball was reported at 9:08 p.m. by observers in states including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The American Meteor Society quickly went to work analyzing the reports and determined that the meteor first appeared 50 miles above Mamaroneck, New York, traveling at a speed of 38,000 miles per hour in an east-north direction. It disintegrated approximately 30 miles above Norven Green State Forest after traversing 37 miles through the upper atmosphere.
Interestingly, the space rock was not associated with any currently active meteor shower, making its appearance even more unexpected. A video submitted to AMS captured the meteor’s final burn, lasting just three seconds, as it blazed across the sky against a backdrop of gray clouds over New Jersey.
This celestial event serves as a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the cosmos, and the importance of skywatchers in documenting such occurrences. As we continue to explore and study the universe around us, sightings like these help us to deepen our understanding of the world beyond our own atmosphere. So, keep your eyes to the sky, you never know what you might see next.
“Prone to fits of apathy. Devoted music geek. Troublemaker. Typical analyst. Alcohol practitioner. Food junkie. Passionate tv fan. Web expert.”