Starlink 2382 creates bright fireball over Europe
Image credit: Matthieu Vannson (stillshot)
An unexpected atmospheric re-entry of the Starlink 2382 satellite at 19:29 UTC on August 27, 2024, created a stunning fireball over France, Switzerland, and northern Italy.
The event was seen by thousands of people from France and Belgium to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy.
Videos of the fireball have gone viral across social media:
Starlink-2382 reentered at 1929 UTC Aug 27 over France, Switzerland and N Italy; also seen from Germany pic.twitter.com/fTfS3jBkXD
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) August 27, 2024
☄️ Ce 27 août 2024 vers 21h30, ce qui semblent être les restes d'un satellite se sont désintégrés dans le ciel au dessus de la France et de l'Allemagne. De nombreuses personnes ont observé le phénomène. (vidéo Matthieu Vannson) pic.twitter.com/zFfIrsm7zb
— Guillaume Séchet (@Meteovilles) August 27, 2024
#Météorite aperçue à Annecy ce soir à 21h30 pic.twitter.com/04M7IFwCpQ
— leo (@leoacqueberge) August 27, 2024
Starlink 2382 was a part of SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, which aims to provide global broadband internet coverage from low Earth orbit (LEO).
It was launched on March 11, 2021, from Cape Canaveral, United States. The satellite was one of many in the large network designed to deliver high-speed internet, especially to remote and underserved areas.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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