Huge Fireball Closes Out 2017 for UK Residents (VIDEOS)
As residents across the UK were finishing last-minute preparations for their New Year’s Eve celebrations, many were treated to a spectacular display of extraterrestrial pyrotechnics to end 2017 in style.
At least 679 reports were made to the International Meteor Organization overnight about the eerie emerald-hued visitor, predominantly in England and Scotland.
Probably one of the last bright fireball of 2017, but what a fireball! More than 150 witnesses reported a very bright meteor observed around 17h 35min UT, on Dec 31, and reports keeps coming in! https://t.co/E30Q9PsMVo
If you observed it, please report! https://t.co/EWCUz6FcK1 pic.twitter.com/wyRaK4dIYk— IMO Meteor Org. (@IMOmeteors) December 31, 2017
Here’s my dashcam video from the M606 heading north into Bradford. Timed 17:33hrs #meteor #fireball #shootingstar pic.twitter.com/6kmQbgF42R
— Ken Miller (@Baildonhome) December 31, 2017
The object appeared over British skies at approximately 5:33pm local time on December 31, 2017, the UK Meteor Network reported.
“UKMON received over 570 public reports. Many observers reported green color and fragmentation at the end. The meteor was apparently moving quite slowly.”
Seen all the Tweets about the fireball last night so looked on my security camera and I got it. @VirtualAstro @UKMeteorNetwork pic.twitter.com/pRr9nAStzp
— Wallsend Weather (@wallsendweather) January 1, 2018
Celebrity physicist Brian Cox also tweeted about the phenomenon.
Over the whole of the U.K. it appears – sad I missed it !
— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) December 31, 2017
What was that in the sky just now? Fast moving green light that split in two. Wrong angle for fireworks! #inverurie #aberdeenshire #nightsky #notdrunkhonest @darkskyman @VirtualAstro
— Anne G (@urysider) December 31, 2017
The International Meteor Organization ruined all the festive fun and speculation about alien visitors by confirming that the object was indeed a meteor that split in two upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere. The annual Quadrantid meteor shower is still underway, running from December 22 to January 17.
Spotted this driving home tonight #meteor pic.twitter.com/6P37dRDWrH
— Martin Kempson (@mkempson) December 31, 2017
RT
