Thread: Fireball reported across California sky

Fireball reported across California sky

Mike Denison, USA TODAY10:02a.m. EST February 16, 2013

Experts believe a 'sporadic meteor' caused a fireball to streak across the western California sky Friday night.

Story Highlights

• No connection seen to Russian meteorite or passing asteroid
• There have been no reports of damage following the incident
• An astronomer said it was probably a 'sporadic meteor'

First a meteor hit Russia. Then an asteroid came unusually close to Earth. Now San Francisco may be the latest witness to a cosmic visitor.

Experts believe a "sporadic meteor" caused a fireball to streak across the western California sky Friday night, according to NBC's Bay Area affiliate.

A bright flash of light was first reported in Santa Rosa, Calif., around 7:45 p.m., and was seen as far south as San Jose and Morgan Hill.

It appeared to be bright green and turned yellow as it descended, according to a Bay Area resident who posted on NBC Bay Area's Facebook page. There have been no reports of damage following the incident.

Astronomer Gerald McKeegan told NBC that the fireball was probably a "sporadic meteor." He added that sporadic meteors impact the Earth several times a day and can bring up to 15,000 tons of space debris per year to Earth.

No connections have been made between the California fireball and the meteorite that struck Russia on Friday or the asteroid that passed within 17,200 miles of Earth.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/16/fireball-calif-sky/1924483/

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