Current:Home > NewsWatch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky -Thrive Success Strategies
Watch as shooting star burns brightly, awes driver as it arcs across Tennessee sky
View
Date:2025-04-12 21:44:44
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! (37371)
Related
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Biden Administration partners with US sports leagues, player unions to promote nutrition
- Super Bowl Sunday: The game, the parties, the teams—what's America's favorite part?
- Tish Cyrus Reacts to Billy Ray Cyrus' Claim Hannah Montana Destroyed Their Family
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Ignitable cakes, sweatshirts and more. Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift gear flies off store shelves
- In rare request, county commissioners ask Maine governor to remove sheriff
- A 94-year-old was lying in the cold for hours: How his newspaper delivery saved his life
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Carjacking indictment in Chicago latest amid surge in US car heists since pandemic
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Wendy's is giving away free cheeseburgers this week. Here's how you can get one.
- Recalled applesauce pouches likely contained lead due to a single cinnamon processor the FDA just identified
- Watch this adorable 3-year-old girl bond with a penguin during a game of peekaboo
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Britney Spears deletes throwback photo with Ben Affleck after claiming they 'made out'
- Human remains found by Miami beachgoer are believed to be from unborn baby, police say
- CPKC railroad lags peers in offering sick time and now some dispatchers will have to forfeit it
Recommendation
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
Alabama lawmakers push sweeping gambling bill that would allow lottery and casinos
Rapper Quando Rondo is charged with DUI in Georgia, where he already faces drug and gang charges
DePauw University receives record-breaking $200M in donations
Trump's 'stop
Ex-Oakland police chief sues city and mayor to get his job back
Erika Jayne Can't Escape Ex Tom Girardi's Mess in Tense Bet It All on Blonde Trailer
New indoor EV charging station in San Francisco offers a glimpse into the future