“It was way brighter
than any meteorite I’ve seen.” Similar reports from
people all over New England, New York and New Jersey flooded Twitter and
the website of the National Meteor Society soon afterward. Of the 90
reports of the bright object on the website, called a meteorite or
fireball by many, 17 were from Massachusetts, including one from
Amherst.Connolly said the
fireball was about five times bigger and hundreds of times brighter than
most meteorites he has seen. He said it glowed blue and orange as it
traveled for three or four seconds northeast across the sky before
disappearing behind clouds.He noted that it was not
completely dark out at the time, and usually meteors are only visible
when it is completely dark. “This was very bright, as bright as the
moon,” he said.Neither he or his wife heard any noise when they saw the fireball, he said.
A report from
Rollingsford, N.H., said the fireball appeared to be about the size of a
quarter when held at arm’s length and had a trail of sparks. Others
commented that it left a green trail and appeared low in the sky.
"reports of a green
fireball were reported by drivers on Routes 128 and 495 in
Massachusetts just after 5 p.m."
Other reports came from Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. There were also reported sightings in Europe.
