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Florida Sky Ablaze: Rare Blue-Green Fireball Dazzles Observers
4 Feb
Summary
- A blue-green fireball fell at over 71,000 mph on Feb. 2.
- About 75 Florida residents reported the unexpected celestial event.
- The meteor's color is likely due to its composition and speed.
On February 2, scores of Florida residents reported a stunning bluish-green fireball descending at over 71,000 miles per hour. The celestial phenomenon was captured by NASA cameras and a Tesla truck, appearing 56 miles above the Gulf of Mexico. The object, a fragment of an asteroid, traveled 60 miles northwest before disintegrating 28 miles above the ocean.
The meteor, which rivaled the full moon in brightness, was observed by about 75 people from Pensacola to Hollywood. Experts note that February marks the beginning of the fireball season in the Northern Hemisphere, a period characterized by a lull in meteor showers and proximity to the vernal equinox. Fireballs are defined as meteors brighter than the planet Venus.
While the exact reasons for the spring fireball season remain a mystery, scientists have observed this trend for decades, noting an increase in both fireballs and meteorite falls during this time. The distinctive color of the fireball is often attributed to the vaporization of specific elements, with magnesium potentially contributing to the blue-white hue, and its swift movement often resulting in a blue appearance.
