Current:Home > NewsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-16 23:33:48
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! (189)
Related
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- UAW to GM: Show me a Big 3 auto executive who'd work for our union pay
- Authorities in Indian-controlled Kashmir free a key Muslim cleric after years of house arrest
- See Sophie Turner Step Out in New York After Filing Joe Jonas Lawsuit
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Hollywood actor and writer strikes have broad support among Americans, AP-NORC poll shows
- Father arrested 10 years after 'Baby Precious' found dead at Portland, Oregon recycling center
- Hollywood actor and writer strikes have broad support among Americans, AP-NORC poll shows
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- What’s streaming now: Doja Cat, ‘Sex Education,’ ‘Spy Kids,’ ‘The Super Models’ and ‘Superpower’
Ranking
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- United States and China launch economic and financial working groups with aim of easing tensions
- The big twist in 'A Haunting in Venice'? It's actually a great film
- California bishop acquitted in first United Methodist court trial of its kind in nearly a century
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Some providers are dropping gender-affirming care for kids even in cases where it’s legal
- Medicaid expansion to begin soon in North Carolina as governor decides to let budget bill become law
- A Chinese dissident in transit at a Taiwan airport pleads for help in seeking asylum
Recommendation
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
China, at UN, presents itself as a member of the Global South as alternative to a Western model
A million-dollar fossil, and other indicators
Jailhouse letter adds wrinkle in case of mom accused of killing husband, then writing kids’ book
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Dangerous inmate captured after escaping custody while getting treatment at hospital in St. Louis
Black teens learn to fly and aim for careers in aviation in the footsteps of Tuskegee Airmen
Some providers are dropping gender-affirming care for kids even in cases where it’s legal