Spectacular fireball explodes over northern Turkey

A bright fireball exploded over northern Turkey around 17:35 UTC (20:35 LT) on Wednesday evening, May 27, 2020. The American Meteor Society (AMS) received three reports, including from a witness in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Based on the AMS' trajectory, the fireball traveled in a west to east direction, from an area near Surmene town in Turkey to northwestern Azerbaijan.
"It was looking like an ordinary meteor but then it began burning [and] became really bright," said one witness in Kasutu, who described the object as orange in color.
Local media reported that the fireball was also seen in several provinces, including Artvin, Erzurum, Sivas, Tuncel, and Ardahan.
Observers took to social media to share videos of the fireball erupting into a bright flash of light before disappearing.
A meteorite was seen over the skies of Turkey at approx 20:30 local time!
pic.twitter.com/IFd4HQQpTB— Faytuks News (@Faytuks) May 27, 2020
Footage shows a supposed meteorite falling from the night sky, witnessed by people in northern Turkey.pic.twitter.com/Ps1LVsbEOO
— DAILY SABAH (@DailySabah) May 27, 2020
Bu akşam saat 20.30 civarı Trabzon, Artvin, Rize, Ardahan, Erzurum, Muş başta olmak üzere birçok ilde görülen #meteor 'un şu ana kadar çekilen en net görüntüsü pic.twitter.com/gbzHqgSitP
— Corona Güncel (@Coronabilgi) May 27, 2020
"According to our first assessments, we think that it may have fallen into the sea," said Ozan Unsalan, associate professor at the Ege University's Department of Physics.
"I even asked the eyewitnesses, 'Was there a small shake?' Because this shaking of the ground is also expected, but it depends on the size and structure of the meteor. It can trigger a small earthquake."
Unsalan said they are in contact with NASA to evaluate footage of the event.
Featured image credit: Daily Sabah
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
God’s final warning to the Roach.