A bright fireball was observed over the skies of Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver at around 02:17 UTC on Sunday (18:17 local time on Saturday). The American Meteor Society (AMS) received 12 reports across both regions.
Observers reported varying colors of the fireball, primarily white, green, and red, with some descriptions including light blue and yellow. Reports indicated the fireball lasted between 1 – 3 seconds, with its magnitude estimated to range from -9 to -22 depending on the region.
An observer in Victoria, BC, described the fireball as white, transitioning to light blue before it disappeared. The observer noted it grew brighter as its color changed.
“It looked like a glow stick, cloudy night,” another observer from Selah, WA noted, describing the fireball’s colors as green, light green, yellow, and light yellow.
An observer in Duncan, BC, described the fireball as very large and bright, noting its colors as light blue and white, adding that it appeared to turn orange-ish upon entering the atmosphere.
An observer in Richland, WA, stated that the fireball was distinctly bright despite the heavy cloud cover.
There were no reports of fragmentation or sounds associated with the event.
The brightness range, from -9 to -22 magnitude, suggests this was an exceptionally bright fireball, possibly a bolide, which is a type of fireball that explodes in a bright terminal flash, often with visible fragmentation.
The absence of reported sounds or fragmentation suggests it disintegrated high in the atmosphere, preventing any sonic booms or recoverable meteorites from reaching the ground. This may indicate that the meteor consisted primarily of stony material (silicates) and metals like iron and nickel, which are common in meteorites.
The fact that it changed colors, growing brighter before disappearing, could indicate it was undergoing intense heating and possibly starting to melt but not entirely disintegrating before it vanished from sight.
Meteor colors explained
The variation in colors—white, green, red, light blue, and yellow—are attributed to the elements in the fireball, which burn at different temperatures and display various colors as they ionize in the atmosphere.
White meteors
Meteors that appear white are often the result of reaching extremely high temperatures during atmospheric entry. This intense heat causes the meteor to emit a bright white light regardless of its specific composition. The presence of magnesium in the fireball can also contribute to this distinct white glow, enhancing its brilliance as it streaks across the sky.
Green and light green meteors
A green or light green hue in meteors typically points to the presence of specific metals, such as nickel or copper. Nickel, in particular, is a frequent component of meteorites and is strongly associated with the green coloration. These colors are more prominent in meteors that burn at certain temperatures, reflecting the chemical properties of these elements.
Red and orange meteors
The warm colors of red and orange often result from the interaction between the meteor and Earth’s atmosphere. As the meteor travels through the atmosphere, nitrogen and oxygen are heated, producing these colors. Additionally, the meteor’s own composition can contribute; materials like lithium or sodium emit reddish or orange hues when burned.
Light blue and yellow meteors
Meteors that glow in light blue or yellow shades can indicate the presence of other metals. Iron often produces a yellow glow as it burns, creating a vibrant streak of light. Light blue hues, on the other hand, may suggest the presence of calcium, which burns with a cooler and softer light.
Light yellow meteors
Sodium is well-known for its characteristic yellow emission when it burns, though its glow is often more subdued compared to that of iron. Meteors with a light yellow hue are therefore likely to contain sodium, adding a distinctive yet subtle color to their trail.
References:
1 Event 8219-2024 – AMS – December 29, 2024