A bright green meteor lit up the sky over Michigan’s Great Lakes, captivating many onlookers. This dazzling event occurred early on Sunday, November 23, around 5:29 a.m. ET. Witnesses and cameras from the Michigan Storm Chasers captured the meteor’s fiery descent and dramatic explosion.
Reports indicate that people from states as far as Wisconsin, Indiana, and even Lancaster, Ohio, saw the fireball. According to the American Meteorological Society, the event was tracked after being spotted roughly 62 miles above Hubbard Lake. It traveled at an astounding speed of 98,500 mph before disintegrating at around 46 miles above Lake Huron.
NASA identified this meteor as a fragment from a small comet, distinct from larger meteor showers like the ongoing Leonid meteor shower. The Leonids, which occur from November 6 to 30, are known for their high-speed meteors, striking at about 160,000 mph. In comparison, many fireballs, including the recent Michigan meteor, can be attributed to smaller cosmic material.
Interestingly, fireballs often display vibrant colors due to the metals they release upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere. In this case, the meteor’s green hue likely resulted from high concentrations of nickel. Other meteors have shown different colors, depending on their elemental makeup; for instance, sodium can create a bright yellow fireball, while magnesium appears blue-white.
Over the past few years, green fireballs have garnered attention worldwide. In July 2022, a similar phenomenon was reported over New Zealand, and in November 2022, another green fireball fell into Lake Ontario and was noted as the smallest asteroid ever documented, measuring just 16 to 24 inches in diameter.
Social media reactions to these celestial events reflect a growing fascination with meteors. Videos of the Michigan fireball quickly went viral, showcasing not just its beauty but also the thrill of experiencing such a rare occurrence.
In conclusion, meteors like the one observed in Michigan spark curiosity about our universe. With every fireball event, we gain more insights into the complexities of our solar system and the materials that drift through it. For those keen on catching these amazing sights, using a good camera setup can make a world of difference.
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