‘Fireball,’ Possible Meteorite Seen in Georgia, Across the Southeast

A fireball flashed across the sky on Thursday afternoon in a spectacle that was visible to residents in several states, including Georgians. The National Weather Service (NWS) speculates the object is a meteorite, but officials are still investigating. On social media, users report seeing the fireball in other states at around 12:25 p.m., including South…

A fireball flashed across the sky on Thursday afternoon in a spectacle that was visible to residents in several states, including Georgians.

The National Weather Service (NWS) speculates the object is a meteorite, but officials are still investigating.

On social media, users report seeing the fireball in other states at around 12:25 p.m., including South Carolina and Tennessee.

Henry County Emergency Management said it has sent crews to a home after its owner reported at least one rock crashing through their roof. The department said it is working to find out if the incident is related to the possible meteorite.

Meanwhile, WHNS, Atlanta News First’s sister station in Greenville, South Carolina, reported that multiple agencies are looking into reports of a possible crashed meteorite in the upper part of the state.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it had “no reports of unusual aircraft activity in the area.” The NWS has also ruled out an earthquake, as several people heard a loud booming noise.

“After a review of the seismic data, it appears the shaking may be related to a sonic boom, which could match news reports of a meteorite, but we can’t be certain,” said Steven Sobieszćzyk, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Geological Survey Natural Hazards Mission Area.

A lightning detection network picked up a signal that could indicate the object as it passed over Georgia.

It is currently unknown if the object landed or where it may have done so.

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