Meteor Fireball Streaks Across the Sky in Augusta

News Summary

Residents of Augusta witnessed a spectacular meteor fireball on Thursday afternoon, which was confirmed by the National Weather Service. Eyewitnesses reported a loud boom and a bright, colorful object disintegrating at high speed above Georgia, leading to numerous 911 calls. The meteor, approximately 3 feet in diameter, released energy comparable to 20 tons of TNT as it traveled southwest at 30,000 mph. The event coincided with the active Bootid meteor shower, capturing the public’s imagination and generating significant interest in celestial events.

Augusta, Georgia – A bright fireball streaked across the sky over Augusta on Thursday afternoon, prompting numerous eyewitness accounts and emergency calls from surrounding areas, including Tennessee and South Carolina. The phenomenon was officially confirmed as a meteor by the National Weather Service (NWS) based on analysis of video footage and local reports.

The fireball was first reported around 12:20 p.m., with witnesses from various locations such as Aiken County describing it as a yellowish, tadpole-shaped flaming object that changed colors and emitted billowing black smoke. Observers also noted a loud booming sound accompanying the unusual sight. A veteran from Columbia characterized the fireball as a fiery orange object with a blue tail, which is particularly rare to see during daylight hours.

NASA reported that the meteor originated at an altitude of 48 miles above Oxford, Georgia, traveling southwest at an astonishing speed of 30,000 mph. It disintegrated approximately 27 miles above West Forest, Georgia, releasing energy comparable to 20 tons of TNT. The resulting pressure wave caused sonic booms that were heard across a wide region, leading to numerous reports of an earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey quickly clarified that these reports were due to the sonic booms rather than seismic activity.

The size of the meteor was approximately 3 feet in diameter and weighed over a ton. Doppler weather radars identified its trajectory and energy signatures as it descended through the atmosphere. Initial speculation from NWS suggested that the bright phenomenon might have been space debris; however, this was later ruled out as clear video evidence confirmed its identity as a meteor.

As the meteor entered the lower atmosphere, witnesses noted a visible trail of smoke, especially in Columbia County. Reports of the incident came from observers far and wide, including residents from as far west as Tennessee and as far north as Spartanburg, South Carolina. The event coincided with the ongoing Bootid meteor shower currently active in the region, enhancing public interest in celestial events.

One resident in Henry County, Georgia, reported that a rock fell through their roof shortly after the fireball sighting, potentially indicating debris from the meteor. Responders investigating the incident mistakenly identified controlled burns in the area as signs of a crash related to the meteor event, further compounding the confusion.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that no unusual aircraft activities were reported in the vicinity at the time the meteor was sighted. Calls to the emergency services escalated as witnesses sought clarification about the bright object in the sky, leading to an influx of 911 calls describing the sighting.

In light of the excitement surrounding the event, local citizens are encouraged to submit any photos or videos they might have captured during the occurrence for public sharing and scientific interest. NWS officials noted that due to the meteor’s high altitude and speed, conventional radar systems were unable to track its descent effectively.

This spectacular event has sparked widespread curiosity and engagement among both amateur astronomers and the general public, shedding light on the everyday encounters with celestial bodies. As residents continue to discuss their observations, the scientific community will continue to analyze data from the incident for further insights into meteor activity.

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Additional Resources

• WRDW: Fireball Catches Eyes Across CSRA
• Google Search: fireball meteor CSRA
• WJBF: Possible Meteorite Seen Across CSRA
• Wikipedia: Meteor
• Atlanta News First: Reports of Fireball
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Meteor
• WBTV: Fireball Seen Falling in South Carolina
• Google Scholar: meteor fireball event 2025
• WYFF4: Fiery Ball Falling from the Sky
• Google News: fireball Greenville