Large Meteors Light Up The Skies

July 29, 2021

(WP) Reports of at least two large meteor sightings have made the news in the last few days. Both were big enough to light up the sky, and were visible from Earth for hundreds of miles.

One of these celestial events occurred over southeast Norway and large parts of southern Scandinavia on Sunday. The Norwegian Meteor Network reported that the meteor appeared at 1:08 am and was visible for about five seconds. Some witnesses heard a loud roaring sound after the meteor fragmented just before burning out.

The AP reported that the meteorite might have struck Earth in a forested area called Finnemarka near Oslo.

That same evening, Saturday, July 25, a bright flash was seen over north Texas, as well. Hundreds of eyewitnesses in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma reported seeing the blazing fireball. According to NASA, it travelled nearly 60 miles across the sky from where it was first seen above Texas Highway 11 at a speed of 30,000 mph. Witnesses are said to have heard a loud boom when the meteor exploded.

While the Perseids meteor shower is commonly seen during the summer months, NASA claims that this particular asteroid was not part of that display.

Some scientists believe that our galaxy is currently entering a cosmic debris field which will allow us to see many more fireballs in the months to come. Meteorites (meteors that actually hit the planet) are expected to increase as well.

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