NASA: Fireball over Southeast traveled at 53,700 mph
Aug 17, 2018
NASA says a fireball that streaked across the Southeastern sky was traveling about 53,700 mph when it lit up the night
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — NASA says a fireball that streaked across the Southeastern sky was traveling about 53,700 mph (86,400 kph) when it lit up the night over Alabama.
The Meteoroid Environment Office at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center says numerous people saw a very bright streak early Friday.
A statement and video posted on Facebook says an analysis shows the meteor was first seen at an altitude of about 58 miles (93 kilometers) above rural Turkeytown, which is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham.
The office estimates a small asteroid about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter then broke apart about 18 miles (29 kilometers) above the town of Oak Grove. It was at least 40 times as bright as the full moon at one point.
Researchers are assessing whether any fragments from the rock might have hit the ground.
