A fireball was seen traveling from southwest to northeast over Wyoming at about 5.45 am local time (11.45 GMT) on Thursday 28 March 2013, according to the American Meteor Society, who also received witness statements from Colorado, South Dakota, Montana and Alberta. The fireball was observed to flare green and blue, suggesting the object which caused it was composed largely of nickel and magnesium.
Map showing the location of witness reports for the 28 March fireball. Mike Hankey/American Meteor Society.
A fireball is defined as a meteor (shooting star) brighter than the planet Venus. These are typically caused by pieces of rock burning up in the atmosphere, but can be the result of manmade space-junk burning up on re-entry.
Witness reports can help astronomers to understand these events. If you witnessed this fireball you can report it to the American Meteor Society here.
See also Fireball over the northeastern United States, Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) to reach its closest point to Earth this week, 99942 Apophis to fly by the Earth, Possible second meteor shower to coincide with the Geminids and Asteroid 4179 Toutatis/1989 AC to fly past the Earth.
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