A bright fireball entered the atmosphere above Vancouver Island, Canada, at 07:12 UTC (00:12 PDT) on April 29, 2026, before fragmenting above the Pacific Ocean west of Yuquot. NASA placed the object’s speed at 29.5 km/s, or about 106 200 km/h (65 900 mph), and its final visible altitude at 62 km (38.6 miles).
The American Meteor Society (AMS) received 135 reports from users in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington, as well as 15 videos.
The analysis showed the meteor first became visible at 90.6 km (56.3 miles) altitude above Oktwanch Peak on Vancouver Island. It moved southwest for about 89 km (55 miles) through the upper atmosphere before fragmenting at 62 km (38.6 miles) altitude above the Pacific Ocean. The end point of the calculated path is about 32 km (20 miles) west of Yuquot.
Model-derived estimates suggest the object was likely a fragment from a comet about 0.6 m (2 feet) in diameter with a mass of about 454 kg (1 000 pounds).
Observers reported green, blue-green, white, orange, or red colors, with several reports describing a brief terminal flash or visible fragmentation. Reported durations were mostly around 1.5 to 3.5 seconds.
Several AMS reports described persistent trains lasting 1 to 5 seconds, including glowing or spark-like trails behind the fireball. Reports from Seattle, Olympia, Newport, Spokane, Nanaimo, Oak Harbor, Qualicum Beach, and other locations noted terminal flashes, scattered particles, or brief fragmentation-like features.
Some observers reported delayed sounds, including booms or tapping sounds.
References:
1 Fireball event 3168-2026 – AMS – April 29, 2026
2 Event: 20260429-071216 – NASA/NDC – April 29, 2026