A huge green fireball cut across the night sky last Thursday, entertaining awestruck witnesses all over the western U.S. This extraordinary celestial spectacle inspired wonder in mankind. Eyewitnesses from Kaysville, Utah, and Jackson, Wyoming, described the once-in-a-lifetime experience as indescribably brilliant and incredibly speedy. This sighting though initially led them to believe it might be the case of a crashing plane. The scene played out on a clear, moonlit night, providing for vivid, visceral detail and turning the unfolding drama into quite a show.
This green fireball was much larger than your typical meteor. One observer went so far as to call it “huge in the sky,” noting that its circumference looked like a quarter at arm’s length. Even more remarkable than its flaring brightness was the ferocity of its eruption, stunning observers as it ripped across the morning sky.
Widespread Observations
With upwards of 1,500 eyewitnesses across a wide range of states catching sight of the fiery spectacle, the buzz around this celestial event grew by the day. On the ground in Jackson, Wyoming, similarly stunned witnesses described their shock. One resident remarked, “I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” capturing the unique nature of the experience. Another observer from the same location exclaimed, “It was like a firework falling down from the sky!” highlighting the spectacular visual display.
The fireball’s incredible speed, brightness, and color palette made for one interesting discussion with all who experienced it. A resident from Garland, Utah, mentioned, “It was so fast and bright; I initially thought it was a plane crashing.” That feeling was shared by so many others who were just as surprised as I was by this incredible view.
Explosive Finale
As the green fireball traversed the sky, it culminated in a dramatic explosion in the distance, further captivating those who were fortunate enough to witness the event. An observer from Jackson noted, “The flash at the end of the extremely bright trail looked like an explosion,” emphasizing the breathtaking conclusion to the spectacle.
A home security camera in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, caught the strange occurrence on tape. It captured the fireball’s spectacular plunge and fiery ending. Much of this footage is what has today gone viral on social media platforms. Now, all of those who couldn’t catch it in person have the chance to see what made it so brilliant.
Scientific Insights
Read more about the phenomenon from Jason Trump, a NASA solar system ambassador. He indicated that the green fireball could have been composed of nickel. Nickel would be widely available in natural objects that might reach the ground from space, and it could account for many of the fireball’s more dazzling features.
He noted, “The intensity of the brightness was so much stronger,” aligning with many witnesses’ observations regarding its exceptional luminosity. Trump’s observations provide an unusual scientific window onto this remarkable phenomenon. They offer some explanation for the obsession it has collectively sparked.