Very bright fireball over North Carolina coincides with the launch of Falcon 9 rocket, U.S.
A very bright fireball was seen over North Carolina at 02:12 UTC on November 11, 2021. Interestingly, the event took place just a few minutes after the Crew-3 Falcon 9 rocket lifted off the pad at Kennedy Space Center, Florida on its way toward the International Space Station.
The American Meteor Society (AMS) has so far received 216 reports, mainly from North Carolina, but users from Washington DC, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia also reported seeing it.1
"Incredibly, nearly all of the witnesses were outside to view the launch of this rocket when an incredibly bright Taurid fireball flashed through the sky. For many of the witnesses both the rocket and the fireball were visible simultaneously," AMS said.
Analysis of the eyewitness accounts posted on the AMS website, combined with data from a NASA camera located in western North Carolina and other publicly accessible videos indicate that the meteor first became visible 30 km (48 miles) above Greenville, North Carolina.2
North Carolina fireball on November 11, 2021 – heatmap. Credit: AMS
Moving northwest at 53 100 km/h (33 000 mph), it survived only 3.5 seconds before disintegrating 45 km (28 miles) above Macclesfield.
At its brightest, the fireball rivaled the Full Moon, suggesting it was caused by an object roughly 20 kg (45 pounds) in weight and 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter.
The low speed implies an asteroidal origin.
Massive fireball meteor under the SpaceX #Crew3 launch this evening from Central Virginia. Unbelievable moment as the rocket flew over.
80" total exposure time. Falcon 9 2nd stage flyby is the long streak.
Gordonsville, VA pic.twitter.com/V0tPqqGX7l— Peter Forister (@forecaster25) November 11, 2021
Amazing coincidence — just captured #SpaceX (over roof of house) looking east/southeast from @TownofCary and what looks like a meteorite or comet at the same time. Taken around 9:11pm EST. Did anyone else see this? @rtphokie @nsj @katcampbellwx pic.twitter.com/DIXNrwpzXQ
— Ron Cerniglia (@RonGoWolfpack) November 11, 2021
Captured the SpaceX rocket AND a meteor on my camera tonight! pic.twitter.com/TAOLYqlX2Y
— Ricky Matthews (@wxrjm) November 11, 2021
Was watching the sky for the space launch and I saw this. Turned out my doorbell cam caught it. 9:11pm. Holly Springs, NC. Was this the meteor people are mentioning? If so, amazing coincidence.@katcampbellwx @wxbrad #hollysprings pic.twitter.com/gWvPJDAco0
— Allan Bake (@AllanBake) November 11, 2021
References:
1 Fireball event 7540-2021 – AMS
2 NASA Meteor Watch – FB
Featured image credit: William H., AMS
20 km in weight should be corrected to 20 kg
Thanks!
Mmmm……WHY is SpaceX going SIDEWAYS??