Fireball spotted over Southeast US, American Meteor Society says

On Thursday afternoon, the American Meteor Society (AMS) reported multiple sightings of a fireball across the Southeastern United States. This phenomenon, characterized as a 'daytime fireball,' was accompanied by a sonic boom, suggesting the presence of a meteor. Mike Hankey, the operations manager for the AMS, explained that while the sonic boom typically indicates a meteor entering the atmosphere, it is not a definitive sign. The AMS has made these reports available on their website, allowing individuals to log their experiences and observations regarding the event. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that there was no unusual aircraft activity reported in the vicinity during the time of the sightings, indicating that the fireball was likely of cosmic origin rather than man-made.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston noted that satellite-based lightning detection systems recorded a streak in a clear sky over the North Carolina and Virginia border, with the streak being detected between 12:51 and 12:56 p.m. Additional analysis by CNN revealed further signatures of the fireball over the Atlanta area. Notably, this occurrence coincides with the Bootids meteor shower, which is currently active this week, according to the AMS. In light of the event, CNN has reached out to emergency management officials in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee for more information. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) directed inquiries regarding the fireball to NASA, and CNN has also contacted NASA for further insights on the event.