Current:Home > MarketsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -MacroWatch
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-19 03:16:24
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! (2193)
Related
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Eric Decker Strips Down in Support of Wife Jessie James Decker’s Latest Venture
- Watch Hilary press conference live: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shares updates on storm
- USA TODAY Book Club: Join Richard E. Grant to discuss memoir 'A Pocketful of Happiness'
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Miley Cyrus Is Giving Fans the Best of Both Worlds With Hannah Montana Shout-Out
- Former President Donald Trump’s bond is set at $200,000 in Georgia case
- Jameis Winston directs the scoring drives as Saints get preseason win over Chargers
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Italian official calls tourists vandals after viral incidents: No respect for our cultural heritage
Ranking
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- He demanded higher ed for Afghan girls. He was jailed. Angelina Jolie targets his case
- Spanish singer Miguel Bosé robbed, bound along with children at Mexico City house
- Kristin Chenoweth Mourns Death of Her Angel Birth Mother Lynn
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Queen's 'Fat Bottomed Girls' missing from new 'Greatest Hits' release aimed at kids
- Nine-time Pro Bowler and Georgia Tech Hall of Famer Maxie Baughan dies at 85
- Ford, Kia, Nissan, Chrysler among nearly 660,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
Recommendation
The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
Blac Chyna Shows Off Fitness Transformation Amid New Chapter
Only one new car in the U.S. now sells for under $20,000
Environmental groups sue to keep Virginia in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
'Disgusting hate:' California shop owner killed over Pride flag
USC’s Caleb Williams, Ohio State’s Harrison Jr. and Michigan’s Corum top AP preseason All-Americans
Amanda Knox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 2 with Husband Christopher Robinson