Fireball
A fireball is an extra-bright meteor, brighter than the planet Venus.
Most meteors are faint streaks that vanish in a blink. A fireball is a meteor so bright that it outshines the planet Venus, the brightest object in the night sky after the Moon. Some fireballs light up the ground and can even be seen in daylight.
Fireballs happen when a larger meteoroid, perhaps the size of a marble or bigger, hits the air. It can glow green, orange or white and may break into pieces that leave sparkling trails. A fireball is much more likely than an ordinary meteor to drop meteorites, so scientists want to hear about every one. On 28 February 2021 a fireball over Gloucestershire was filmed by many cameras, including doorbell cameras, and that helped people find the Winchcombe meteorite.
If you see a fireball, note the time, the direction it travelled and how long it lasted, then report it to a fireball reporting scheme. Look at nearby landmarks so you can describe where it started and ended. Your sighting could help find a new meteorite!
Related terms
Level: Beginner Ages 7 and up