Meteor Passing Through Atmosphere Leaves Many Rattled
RENO (CBS13) — A bright meteor shower was not just seen with the eyes but it was heard for miles.
"People as far north as Tahayma County to as far south as Southern California heard a loud sound," said Tom Dang of the National Weather Service.
What it really turned out to be was the earth passing through the orbit of an old comet called "Thatcher," resulting into a meteor shower streaking across the sky and causing a sonic boom.
"The meteor heats up quickly and air around it expands rapidly creating a very loud sound," said Dang.
According to The National Weather Service, it's common for these meteor showers to glaze the sky.
"It's actually an annual event that happens around this time of year," said Dang.
However, hearing it pass through is quite unusual.
"Last night was pretty impressive. We were getting reports of fireballs between 7:30 - 8:30 [Sunday morning]," said Dang.
Meteorologists don't want its bright colors or noises fool you.
"Meteors tend to be small. It's difficult to enter earth's atmosphere and not burn up," explained Dang. "They would have to be fairly large in size to actually reach the ground."
It was an experience many were hoping would last for just a little bit longer.
"It was just beautiful; really big and a lot of colors, and then it just disappeared," said Carmen Garcia, who witnessed the meteor shower.
