Current:Home > NewsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -AssetVision
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-22 08:17:18
A meteor made a surprise appearance in the sky early Friday morning, burning brightly as it traveled across two neighboring states before dissipating.
Glenn Sparks, a driver headed east on Interstate 40 in Tennessee, documented the moment on Facebook, writing that he had just witnessed the "most amazing meteor of my life" at around 1 a.m. on Friday.
The shooting star, according to Sparks, looked like it was roughly over Greeneville, about 65 miles east of Knoxville, when he spotted it.
"It lit up the sky for over 10 seconds with multiple explosions along the way," Sparks wrote. "Absolutely gorgeous!"
Watch: Meteor briefly illuminate Tennessee skyline
Southwest Virginia residents also caught sight of the fleeting ball of fire, capturing the meteor, also known as a shooting star, on video as it whizzed by in a matter of seconds.
Sparks' awe was audible in the video clip that he took, saying "What?" and erupting into laughter.
While Sparks may have been in awe, meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere regularly, with NASA estimating that that "several meteors per hour" can usually be seen on any given night.
"Scientists estimate that about 48.5 tons of meteoritic material falls on Earth each day," according to NASA. "Almost all the material is vaporized in Earth's atmosphere, leaving a bright trail fondly called 'shooting stars.'"
veryGood! (95895)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Air pollution may be to blame for thousands of dementia cases each year, researchers say
- 6 migrants dead, 50 rescued from capsized boat in the English Channel
- Biden administration advises colleges on how race of students can be considered in admissions
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- As people fled the fires, pets did too. Some emerged with marks of escape, but many remain lost.
- Nestlé recalls Toll House cookie dough bars because they may contain wood fragments
- US launches program to provide electricity to more Native American homes
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Retail sales rose solidly last month in a sign that consumers are still spending freely
Ranking
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Small Minnesota town will be without police after chief and officers resign, citing low pay
- ESPN reveals new NBA broadcast teams with Doc Rivers and Doris Burke; Bob Myers joins
- Credit cards: What college students should know about getting their first credit card
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- FBI arrests Philadelphia teen, says he was talking to terrorists, buying bomb materials
- Man charged in connection with several bombings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Election board finds no pattern of nomination signature fraud in Rhode Island US House race
Recommendation
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Credit cards: What college students should know about getting their first credit card
NFL's highest-paid WRs: The top 33 wide receiver salaries for 2023 season
Texas’ Brazos River, Captive and Contaminated
Could your smelly farts help science?
'Another day in the (Smokies)': Bear dashes across Tennessee high school football field
Celebrate Netflix’s 26th Anniversary With Merch Deals Inspired by Your Favorite Shows
Thinking of consignment selling? Here's how to maximize your time and money.