Fireball streaks across Atlanta sky, rattles homes
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Fireball streaks across Atlanta sky, rattles homes
A bright flash and a thunderous boom startled residents across parts of the southeastern U.S. on Wednesday afternoon. The rare event was caught on cameras in and around Atlanta, with other reports coming in from as far as Tennessee and South Carolina. Officials have not confirmed exactly what the object was, but experts believe it may have been a large meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere.
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The bright flash and a thunderous boom startled Georgia residents, prompting 911 calls – the fireball could also be seen in Tennessee and South Carolina.
ATLANTA — A bright flash and a thunderous boom startled residents across parts of the southeastern U.S. on Wednesday afternoon, as a suspected fireball blazed across the sky just before 12:30 p.m.
The rare event was caught on cameras in and around Atlanta, with other reports coming in from as far as Tennessee and South Carolina. Witnesses described a brilliant streak followed by a loud boom, strong enough in some areas to shake homes and prompt calls to 911.
While officials have not confirmed exactly what the object was, experts believe it may have been a large meteor entering Earth’s atmosphere.
“This is a rare event,” said Ron Hranac, a longtime member of the Denver Astronomical Society. “If it was a meteor, it was a big one.”
Hranac explained that such sightings don’t happen often, especially in broad daylight, and they can sometimes result in small fragments, or meteorites, reaching the ground.
He said meteorite hunters are likely already en route to the region. “There are a few that will likely be on their way to the Southeast quickly and are probably on the way now,” he said. “They will be looking for permission from landowners to search their land.”
Meteorites can carry both scientific and financial value. In some cases, fragments can sell for more than $100 per gram depending on size, composition and rarity, said Hranac.