Current:Home > NewsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -BeyondProfit Compass
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-14 10:54:49
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! (17)
Related
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Dozens of animals taken from Virginia roadside zoo as part of investigation
- 'Wait Wait' for December 9, 2023: With Not My Job guest Fred Schneider
- Hundreds of Georgians march in support of country’s candidacy for European Union membership
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- New Mexico police are trying to identify 4 people who died in fiery head-on crash
- Expert witnesses for Trump's defense billed almost $900,000 each for testifying on his behalf at fraud trial
- The Secrets of Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue's Loving, Lusty Marriage
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Third victim ID'd in UNLV shooting as college professors decry 'national menace'
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- US and Philippines condemn China coast guard’s dangerous water cannon blasts against Manila’s ships
- Commissioner Adam Silver: NBA can't suspend Thunder's Josh Giddey on 'allegation alone'
- A pilot is killed in a small plane crash near Eloy Municipal Airport; he was the only person aboard
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- LSU QB Jayden Daniels overcomes being out of playoff hunt to win Heisman Trophy with prolific season
- The EU wants to put a tax on emissions from imports. It’s irked some other nations at COP28
- Why Shohei Ohtani will be worth every penny of $700 million contract for Los Angeles Dodgers
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Why Daisy Jones' Camila Morrone Is Holding Out Hope for Season 2
Workshop collapses in southern China, killing 6 and injuring 3
Bo Nix's path to Heisman finalist: from tough times at Auburn to Oregon stardom
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
Heisman Trophy is recognizable and prestigious, but how much does it weigh?
Europe reaches a deal on the world's first comprehensive AI rules
Oklahoma City voters consider 1% sales tax to build a $1 billion arena for NBA’s Thunder