Videos of the fireball were shared by many users across social media platforms.
Officials across the southeastern United States are investigating reports of a fireball streaking across the sky on Thursday afternoon. According to Fox News, more than 100 people in Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee reported the sighting to the American Meteor Society.
Witnesses say the bright object was visible between 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. ET, lighting up the clear midday sky. The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Greenville-Spartanburg confirmed that the fireball was most likely a meteorite, according to South Carolina’s WYFF-TV.
Meteor Strikes Roof in Georgia
The meteor reportedly crashed through the roof of a home in Henry County, Georgia. Videos circulating on social media show a smoke trail behind the fireball as it blazed across the sky.
What Is a Fireball Meteor?
According to NASA, extremely bright meteors are classified as fireballs or bolides. These objects enter the Earth’s atmosphere at very high speeds and can be seen across wide areas, even in broad daylight. Fireballs are rarer than typical shooting stars and often generate sonic booms or leave visible smoke trails.
What Authorities Are Saying
The NWS shared an update on its official X (formerly Twitter) account:
“It is not certain, but the satellite-based lightning detection shows a streak within cloud-free sky over the NC/VA border, over Gasbury, VA, between 12:51 to 12:56 p.m.”
Fox News also reported that satellite images indicated a smoke trail extending from Tennessee into northern Georgia, further supporting reports of a meteor entering the atmosphere.
In Anderson County, South Carolina, officials are actively searching for a possible crash site in the Upstate region.
Public Reaction and Viral Videos
Many residents shared footage of the fireball online, with videos showing a glowing streak crossing the sky during the early afternoon. The incident quickly went viral, drawing thousands of views and comments from amazed observers.
Not the First Fireball in Recent Months
This isn’t the only fireball to make headlines recently. In May, a fireball was seen over Western Australia on Mother’s Day. Experts at the Perth Observatory said the object was likely an iron meteor, ranging in size from a cricket ball to a basketball.
Why This Fireball Stands Out
What makes this recent fireball especially rare is that it was visible during the daylight hours, a time when most meteors are too faint to be seen. Its unexpected appearance and apparent crash landing have made it a subject of both scientific curiosity and public fascination.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and are working to determine the exact location and composition of the meteor.
