Very bright fireball over Western Australia
A very bright fireball was seen streaking across the night sky over Western Australia at 21:03 UTC on May 1, 2023 (05:03 LT on May 2). The event lasted about 15 seconds.
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
Penumbral lunar eclipse of May 5, 2023
The penumbral lunar eclipse of May 5, 2023, will be visible from Africa, Asia, and Australia. This is the first of 2 lunar eclipses in 2023. It’s taking place 2 weeks after the hybrid solar eclipse of April 20, 2023.
Barren Island volcano erupts, spewing ash to 4.6 km (15 000 feet) a.s.l. and disrupting air travel, India
A new volcanic eruption started at Barren Island volcano, India at around 02:00 UTC on May 1, 2023.
Dust storm creates zero visibility, leading to massive vehicle pileup in Illinois
At least six people lost their lives, and 37 others were injured in a massive 70-vehicle pileup in central Illinois on Monday, May 1, 2023, caused by a dust storm that resulted in severely reduced visibility. The tragic incident occurred along Interstate 55 in Montgomery and Sangamon counties, south of the state capital, Springfield.
Kanlaon volcano records highest sulfur dioxide emission this year, Philippines
A sharp increase in SO2 emissions was recorded at Kanlaon volcano last week, creating concerns over potential phreatic eruptions.
Historic EF-3 tornado sweeps through Virginia Beach, leaving a trail of destruction, Virginia
A powerful EF-3 tornado struck Virginia Beach, Virginia, on April 30, 2023, damaging 115 homes and destroying 12. This is the most powerful tornado ever to hit the city, officials said on May 1.
Moderately strong M7.1 solar flare erupts from AR 3288
A moderately strong solar flare measuring M7.1 erupted at 13:09 UTC on May 1, 2023. The event started at 13:02 and ended at 13:09 UTC.
Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits near the coast of Okinawa, Japan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.2 hit near the coast of Okinawa, Japan at 03:22 UTC (12:22 LT) on May 1, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS is reporting M5.9 at a depth of 10.9 km (6.7 miles); EMSC M5.9 at a depth of 12 km (7.4 miles).
Rainy season ravages Ecuador, leaves 79 people dead, 39 missing and 14 184 homes damaged
Heavy rainfall since January wreaked havoc across Ecuador, leaving at least 79 people dead, 39 missing, and 66 000 affected.
Deep M6.6 and M6.0 earthquakes hit south of the Fiji Islands
Two deep earthquakes registered by the USGS M6.6 and M6.0 hit south of the Fiji Islands at 03:13 UTC on April 28, 2023. The agency is reporting depths of 592.9 km (368.4 miles) and 598.5 km (371.8 miles), respectively. EMSC is reporting just one M6.0 quake at a depth of 593 km (368.4 miles).
