Current:Home > MarketsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -ProsperityStream Academy
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-12 09:59:17
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! (9)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Man killed after allegedly shooting at North Dakota officers following chase
- Philadelphia Eagles work to remove bogus political ads purporting to endorse Kamala Harris
- 'The Bachelorette' ex who made surprise appearance said show left out 'juicy' interview
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Online fundraiser for Matthew Gaudreau’s widow raises more than $500K as the sports world mourns
- Highlights from the first week of the Paralympic Games in Paris
- Below Deck Mediterranean Crew Devastated by Unexpected Death of Loved One
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Steelers' Arthur Smith starts new NFL chapter with shot at redemption – and revenge
Ranking
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- US closes 5-year probe of General Motors SUV seat belt failures due to added warranty coverage
- A man is killed and an officer shot as police chase goes from Illinois to Indiana and back
- Hailey Bieber Rocks New “Mom” Ring as Justin Bieber Gets His Own Papa Swag
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Is your monthly Social Security benefit higher or lower than the average retiree's?
- Kathryn Hahn Shares What Got Her Kids “Psyched” About Her Marvel Role
- Kristin Cavallari Shares Why She’s Having the Best Sex of Her Life With Mark Estes
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Howard University’s capstone moment: Kamala Harris at top of the ticket
Millions more Americans lacked health insurance under Trump vs. Biden
Virginia mother charged with cruelty, neglect after kids found chained in apartment
Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
US reports 28th death caused by exploding Takata air bag inflators that can spew shrapnel
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, This is the Best Day
Food inflation: As grocery prices continue to soar, see which states, cities have it worse