Bright streak of light reported over San Francisco Bay area
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Hours after a meteor exploded over Russia and injured more than 1,000 people and an asteroid passed relatively close to Earth, residents in Northern California reported seeing an unusual flash of light over the San Francisco Bay area that left many startled and thrilled.
The Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland reports receiving calls describing what appeared to be a fireball flying west Friday night. It's not clear what the object was.
Jonathan Braidman, an instructor at the center, described the object based off reports as likely being a small piece of an asteroid that "somehow" got on a collision course with the earth.
"This is a very common occurrence," Braidman said. "What is uncommon is that it's so close to where people are living."
The center's large telescopes did not pick up the object during a stargazing event, astronomer Gerald McKeegan told KGO-TV. The American Meteor Society at Pennsylvania State University, meanwhile, said it received at least 35 reports of the event, according to operations managers Mike Hankey.
Based on reports, Hankey said it appeared the light streaking in the night sky was a sporadic meteor, or fireball. "Fireballs happen every single night, all around the world," he said.
Experts say smaller meteorites hit Earth five to 10 times a year but large meteors such as the one in Russia are rarer. Another meteor landed in the Bay Area in October and caused a loud sonic boom.
"The media attention on the Russian thing got people's attention, so they're more likely to notice things in the sky," said Mike Hankey, operations manager of the American Meteor Society.
While Friday's night fireball received a lot of attention in the San Francisco Bay area, Braidman notes about 15,000 tons of debris from asteroids enter the earth's atmosphere every year.
"Usually these things break up into small pieces and are difficult to find," he said.
The Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland reports receiving calls describing what appeared to be a fireball flying west Friday night. It's not clear what the object was.
Jonathan Braidman, an instructor at the center, described the object based off reports as likely being a small piece of an asteroid that "somehow" got on a collision course with the earth.
"This is a very common occurrence," Braidman said. "What is uncommon is that it's so close to where people are living."
The center's large telescopes did not pick up the object during a stargazing event, astronomer Gerald McKeegan told KGO-TV. The American Meteor Society at Pennsylvania State University, meanwhile, said it received at least 35 reports of the event, according to operations managers Mike Hankey.
Based on reports, Hankey said it appeared the light streaking in the night sky was a sporadic meteor, or fireball. "Fireballs happen every single night, all around the world," he said.
Experts say smaller meteorites hit Earth five to 10 times a year but large meteors such as the one in Russia are rarer. Another meteor landed in the Bay Area in October and caused a loud sonic boom.
"The media attention on the Russian thing got people's attention, so they're more likely to notice things in the sky," said Mike Hankey, operations manager of the American Meteor Society.
While Friday's night fireball received a lot of attention in the San Francisco Bay area, Braidman notes about 15,000 tons of debris from asteroids enter the earth's atmosphere every year.
"Usually these things break up into small pieces and are difficult to find," he said.
Maybe the Mayan calendar was just a little bit off.
During the next solar eclipse, anyone in the vicinity of these meteors will start developing superpowers.
I thought "Flaming" things were common in San Francisco........
What's uncommon is that it's so close to where people are living? Is there a criteria for this sort of thing?
I heard these happen every day. People are just noticing and reporting more because of the asteroid. No big deal but cool to see!
Seen 1 last night by Mt Rainier at 1130 pm. It was quite large and bright red seen by the ashford area.
I live in Stanwood, a few years ago during the still daylight hour just before sunset, I saw a fireball streak across the northern sky heading west. It visible for so long that the person I was talking to had enough time to turn completely around and see it as it disappeared over the horizon. It was pretty amazing.
Another meteor was seen over Cuba. It's beginning to sound like the asteroid was dragging a cluster of rocks along with it and some of them got caught in our atmosphere.
Yes. It is not uncommon for pieces of debris and meteors to hit the atmosphere. If you've ever seen meteor showers, you know what they look like. They do not look like large fireballs screaming through the sky and lighting up everything as it enters. Sorry, but that is not common.
Why don't they just admit that there was some sort of asteroid collision and this could be related to the asteroid that passed. When there is a collision, there is sure to be more than one piece of asteroid involved.
Idiot media stop trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes.
I like how officials say "No big deal, this sort of thing happens all the time". We are completely screwed to be notified when the real disaster hits. So build your bunkers now. Because your media and government do not want you to know. Either that or they are completely clueless.
@Release The Cracken I kind of agree with you. There's no way our government would tell us if a HUGE asteriod was hurtling its way on a collision course with earth  because that would invoke mass panic. I for one have a nice Stockpile of Emergency food, water, ammo, and supplies to last me at least 3-5 years. Most people will be hit with a huge surprise when a huge asteroid hits the earth and they're not prepared for it.Â
Grocery stores will be empty, gas will be nonexistent, The sun will be shaded so Plants wont grow, and people will be killing for food and water. I don't want any part of that and I intend to bail if that ever happens.
I don't want to be anywhere near a metropolitan area when a disaster like this hits.
@Seahawker There are plenty of amateur astronomers out there with really powerful telescopes. I highly doubt that the government could get to all of them and tell them not to say anything. Just where are you going to bail to? Also, I don't think asteroids are drawn to metropolitan areas only.
@Seahawker I doubt that a mere 3-5 years of supplies is going to get you through a huge asteroid strike.
@Travis Hartnett @Seahawker At least I'll have a chance!
The sky is falling, the sky is falling!! LMAO
Actually that was me......the burrito went down wrong...resulting in fireballs from my eyes and lightening bolts from my ass.
@SandyBeach Well get some pepto bismol for goodness sake! lol
Seems like the UFO hysteria is right on schedule.Â