ATLANTA — A remarkable celestial event captivated residents across metro Atlanta and the broader Southeast U.S. on Thursday afternoon, as multiple reports of a ‘fireball’ were received.
Experts from the American Meteor Society identified this phenomenon as a bolide, a large and extraordinary fireball capable of producing a sonic boom.
Witnesses reported sightings from several states, including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, demonstrating the event’s significant reach.
The National Weather Service (NWS) station in Charleston noted a streak in the sky, tracked by satellite-based lightning detection, which was seen over the North Carolina/Virginia border near Gasbury, VA.
According to the International Meteor Organization, these remarkable sightings occurred at approximately 12:25 p.m. ET.
Henry County Emergency Management confirmed that a piece of the meteorite fell through someone’s roof, creating a hole approximately one inch in diameter.
While the specific trajectory remains vague, experts speculate that the extensive reports may correspond to multiple remnants of the same bolide.
So, what exactly is a bolide, and how does it differ from a typical fireball?
The NASA Center for Near Earth Object Studies elaborates that bolides are exceptionally bright meteors, easily visible over extensive areas of the sky.
Mike Hankey, operations manager of the American Meteor Society, explained that these meteors can travel at speeds exceeding 50,000 miles per hour before entering the Earth’s atmosphere, where they quickly decelerate.
By the time they reach Earth’s surface, they descend at velocities between 20,000 to 30,000 feet—approximately the speed of a golf ball.
While still moving at several hundred miles per hour, Hankey emphasized that it’s a far cry from their initial velocities.
He cautioned that while such occurrences can cause considerable damage, it is also a rare event to have a house struck by a meteorite, provided no injuries occur in the process.
Residents across Atlanta reported a loud boom accompanying the fireball, which caused homes to shake and left many speculating about an earthquake.
In Rockdale County, authorities received numerous reports from individuals describing a ‘loud sound like a boom’ with houses vibrating in response.
The City of Roswell Fire and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed receiving similar communications.
Experts from the NWS Peachtree City also acknowledged reports of ground shaking that led several individuals to inquire about a possible earthquake.
McDonough resident Mike Dozier shared his experience, recounting how his house shook during the strange event.
He told his mother, ‘Hold on a minute, something is going on here, and I don’t know what it is… it seemed to last about 15 seconds, and then it was over.’
As the phenomenon unfolded, additional sightings emerged from regions in South Carolina and Tennessee.
Josh Grant described witnessing the fireball while driving on I-75 underneath Buc-ee’s near Warner Robins, Georgia, around 12:24 p.m.
Dashcam footage of the event was also captured by WLTX, a sister station in Columbia, S.C.
The social media response to the event was significant, with many sharing their experiences with 11Alive Meteorologist Melissa Nord on Facebook.
Comments flowed in from diverse locations including Riverdale, Suwanee, Covington, Snellville, and northern Georgia regions such as Ball Ground and Calhoun.
One commenter mentioned her home shaking in Flovilla, while another felt the occurrence in Griffin and mistook it for an earthquake.
Further responses indicated that residents in Stone Mountain reported a booming sound that originated from the fireball.
‘Dogs went crazy,’ one commenter noted, summarizing the widespread commotion that ensued.
As numerous residents came forward with their stories, meteor experts encouraged anyone who witnessed the fireball to report their sightings to the American Meteor Society.
This rare event captured the attention of many and stands as a testament to the fascinating nature of our universe.
image source from：11alive
