Current:Home > NewsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -FundWay
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-22 23:11:52
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! (534)
Related
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- 2 men drown in Glacier National Park over the July 4 holiday weekend
- MyKayla Skinner Says She Didn’t Mean to Offend 2024 Olympics Team With “Hurtful Comments”
- Bernie Sanders says what we have got to focus on is policy after Biden age questions
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Becca Kufrin Shares Peek Inside Bachelorette Group Chat Ahead of Jenn Tran’s Season
- Heat wave blamed for death in California, record temperatures in Las Vegas and high electric bills across U.S.
- Don't Wait! You Can Still Shop J.Crew Factory's Extra 70% off Sale with Deals Starting at $6
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Opponents of Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law want judge to block it before new school year starts
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Hamas rejects report that it dropped key demand in possible cease-fire deal
- Sophia Bush Gushes Over Unexpected Love Story With Ashlyn Harris
- Kevin Durant sidelined by calf strain at Team USA Olympics basketball camp
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- UW regents approve raises for 8 chancellors, set up bonuses for retaining freshmen students
- Copa America 2024: TV, time and how to watch Argentina vs. Canada semifinal
- Archaeologists in Chile race against time, climate change to preserve ancient mummies
Recommendation
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Candidates in pivotal French legislative elections drop out in tactical move ahead of final vote
Adult Film Star Jesse Jane's Cause of Death Revealed
Driving to a golf getaway? Here are the best SUVs, cars for golfers
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
As Hurricane Beryl Surged Toward Texas, Scientists Found Human-Driven Warming Intensified Its Wind and Rain
Rikers Island inmates sue NYC claiming they were trapped in cells during jail fire that injured 20
Coast Guard rescues 5 men after boat capsizes 11 miles off Florida coast