Fireballs emerge in the sky from time to time, and we can consider ourselves lucky when we see one. These bright meteors remind us all about the unfathomable vastness of the Universe, and a recent one illuminated the skies over North Carolina.
According to WRAL.com, the publication telling us about the fireball, NASA cameras located in the western part of North Carolina, as well as over 200 reports of the American Meteor Society, confirm the bright event.
The fireball disintegrated
The glowing meteor is history due to air friction, but even if it made it to the surface in one piece, it still wouldn’t have been dangerous. It was only the size of a football.
Amazing coincidence — just captured #SpaceX (over roof of house) looking east/southeast from @TownofCary and what looks like a meteorite or comet at the same time. Taken around 9:11pm EST. Did anyone else see this? @rtphokie @nsj @katcampbellwx pic.twitter.com/DIXNrwpzXQ
— Ron Cerniglia (@RonGoWolfpack) November 11, 2021
But where could the fireball come from? Considering its trajectory, it could have been part of the Taurid meteor shower. The huge asteroid known as 2004 TG10 could have had the fireball incorporated within it. If such an asteroid would ever hit our planet, it would cause huge damage. It’s not surprising at all, considering that the 2004 TG10 asteroid measures half a mile.
At the beginning of the current month, Yahoo News informed us about the possible arrival of multiple fireballs in the sky. Such bright meteors coming in November represent something usual, considering that the twin meteor showers Northern Taurid and Southern Taurid are showing their dominance on the sky this month.
The AMS explained as quoted by Yahoo News in early November:
The Taurids (both branches) are rich in fireballs and are often responsible for an increased number of fireball reports from September through November.
Feel free to tell us if you’ve been among the lucky ones who saw the fireball over North Carolina! How did you perceive the event?