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Bright meteor explodes over the Gulf of Mexico

florida-fireball-november-2016

A bright meteor swept through the night sky above the Gulf of Mexico around 04:19 UTC on November 22, 2016 and exploded about 24 km (15 miles) from the surface, creating a spectacular show. The event was seen from Florida to Alabama and Georgia, and as far away as Ohio and New Mexico.

"The meteor began falling 74 km (46 miles) above the Gulf of Mexico, 13 km (8 miles) from Sarasota. It then moved slightly north of west, before disintegrating at an altitude of 24 km (15 miles)," according to Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.

"It likely traveled 64 400 km/h (40 000 mph) and vaporized as it hit the atmosphere, lighting up the sky," Cooke added.

The event was accompanied by a sonic boom which shook windows, rattled doors and freaked out pets, as per witness reports.

The American Meteor Society received 143 reports by early November 23, with most of them coming from Florida.

The event was seen from Florida to Alabama and Georgia, but there were also 2 reports from as far away as New Mexico and Ohio.

No damage was reported.

YouTube video

YouTube video

YouTube video

Featured image: Meteor explodes over the Gulf of Mexico at 04:19 UTC on November 22, 2016. Credit: Christopher Scruby

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