Residents speculate meteorite struck Ogden as bright fireball lights up Utah skies

On Saturday night, residents of Ogden, Utah, witnessed an extraordinary celestial phenomenon — a bright green fireball streaking across the night sky. Eyewitness accounts flooded social media at around 9:30 PM, featuring videos and images of the spectacle. A local resident shared surveillance footage capturing the moment, further sparking interest and speculation among the community. One observer even reported seeing a plume of green smoke rising near 12th Street and Harrison Boulevard, accompanied by a loud echoing sound. Experts have identified the object as a fireball, a larger-than-usual meteor, and scientists believe it likely fell somewhere near Ogden. According to Jason Trump, education programs supervisor at Clark Planetarium, this spectacular event attracted attention not only in Ogden but across a wider area, with reports coming in from various locations throughout Utah. The timing of this fireball coincides with the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which is currently active and peaks around May 5-6. NASA had informed the public of the impending meteor shower at the end of April, noting that these meteors are known for their swift trajectory and visibility across North and South hemispheres. With the Eta Aquariids shower coinciding with this event, it's plausible that what residents witnessed was a fragment from the ongoing meteor activity. Videos of the fireball were captured by multiple sources, including dash and doorbell cameras, showcasing its visibility from as far away as Riverton. This demonstrates the widespread interest in astronomy and our cosmic environment, encouraging enthusiasts to submit their sightings to platforms like the American Meteor Society, which reported over 49 sightings as of the weekend. Furthermore, as excitement builds around these celestial activities, experts emphasize continual opportunities for meteor viewing throughout the year, especially with the upcoming Perseid meteor shower in August. Given the heightened public engagement and the scientific insights shared by authorities, including opportunities for community education at places like Clark Planetarium, it's clear that such occurrences not only fascinate the public but also stimulate a greater interest in astronomy. This event serves as a reminder of the wonders of our universe and the activities that take place above us, often unnoticed until they create spectacular moments like this one.