Current:Home > MarketsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -AssetTrainer
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-14 21:20:41
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! (7)
Related
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- 10 best new TV shows to watch this fall, from 'Matlock' to 'The Penguin'
- Fed official broke ethics rules but didn’t violate insider trading laws, probe finds
- Debate was an ‘eye opener’ in suburban Philadelphia and Harris got a closer look
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Diver’s body is recovered from Lake Michigan shipwreck
- Halsey Confirms Engagment to Victorious Actor Avan Jogia After 2024 MTV VMAs
- New York City police commissioner to resign after his phone was seized in federal investigation
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Kentucky authorities still hunting suspect in I-75 shooting that injured 5
Ranking
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Kentucky authorities still hunting suspect in I-75 shooting that injured 5
- Get 50% Off Lancome Concealer, Beautyblender, L'ange Hair Care, StriVectin Neck Serum & $10 Ulta Deals
- All the Couples Who Made the 2024 MTV VMAs a Red Carpet Date Night
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Dealers’ paradise? How social media became a storefront for deadly fake pills as families struggle
- How Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Reacted to Jason Kelce Discussing His “T-ts” on TV
- Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversy
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Chappell Roan Steals the Show With 2024 MTV VMAs Performance Amid Backlash for Canceling Concerts
How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Fever fall to record-setting A'ja Wilson, Aces
Dealers’ paradise? How social media became a storefront for deadly fake pills as families struggle
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Michigan leaders join national bipartisan effort to push back against attacks on the election system
New Orleans Saints staff will stay in team's facility during Hurricane Francine
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says he will not endorse anybody for president