On April 29, 2026, at 07:12 UTC, a dazzling fireball streaked across the sky above Vancouver Island, fragmenting over the Pacific Ocean. This breathtaking event drew over a hundred eyewitness reports from residents and visitors in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington.
The fireball first became visible at an altitude of 90.6 km (56.3 miles) above Oktwanch Peak. It traveled southwest for approximately 89 km (55 miles) before breaking apart at an altitude of about 62 km (38.6 miles), landing roughly 32 km (20 miles) west of Yuquot.
NASA estimated the object’s speed at an astonishing 29.5 km/s (106,200 km/h or 65,900 mph). Witnesses reported a vivid display of colors—green, blue-green, white, orange, and red—as the fireball blazed through the atmosphere.
Many observers noted that the fireball lasted between 1.5 to 3.5 seconds, with some describing persistent trails lasting up to five seconds behind it. Delayed sounds—booms or tapping noises—were also reported by those nearby.
According to NASA, “Well over a hundred eyewitnesses… have filed reports on the American Meteor Society website.” The society received 135 reports along with 15 videos documenting this celestial phenomenon.
The object is believed to be a fragment from a comet measuring about 0.6 m (2 feet) in diameter and weighing around 454 kg (1,000 pounds). Jim Todd explained that “a fireball is essentially a meteor that… doesn’t zip by quickly like a shooting star but instead falls rather slowly and extremely bright.”
This surge in fireball sightings can be attributed to increased access to cameras and reporting methods among the public. Experts suggest that modern technology has made it easier for people to capture these extraordinary events.
This recent display adds to the growing interest in meteor showers and similar phenomena across the Pacific Northwest. As communities reflect on their experiences of this striking fireball event, it serves as a reminder of the wonders of our universe.
