Current:Home > ScamsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -WealthMap Solutions
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-12 16:45:18
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! (1837)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- This preschool in Alaska changed lives for parents and kids alike. Why did it have to close?
- Cooler weather helps firefighters corral a third of massive California blaze
- Cooler weather helps firefighters corral a third of massive California blaze
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Powerball winning numbers for August 3 drawing: Jackpot rises to $171 million
- Pope Francis’ close ally, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, retires as archbishop of Boston at age 80
- Simone Biles, Suni Lee on silent Olympic beam final: 'It was really weird and awkward'
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- American men underwhelm in pool at Paris Olympics. Women lead way as Team USA wins medal race.
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Buying Taylor Swift tickets at face value? These fans make it possible
- 83-year-old Michigan woman killed in gyroplane crash
- Video shows hulking rocket cause traffic snarl near SpaceX launch site
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal
- Louisiana mayor who recently resigned now faces child sex crime charges
- Should I sign up for Medicare and Social Security at the same time? Here's what to know
Recommendation
Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
Mega Millions winning numbers for August 2 drawing: Jackpot now worth $374 million
A college closes every week. How to know if yours is in danger of shutting down.
Who will US women's basketball team face in Olympics quarterfinals? Everything to know
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
Thousands brave the heat for 70th anniversary of Newport Jazz Festival
Tropical Storm Debby barrels toward Florida, with potential record-setting rains further north
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Whodunit? (Freestyle)