The fast-moving celestial body was captured on Friday, August 14, by eyewitnesses in the United States and Canada, as well as geostationary satellites, NASA reports. It turned out to be a fireball, that is, a very bright meteor that exploded in the atmosphere with a force equal to 10 tons of TNT and intense blue radiation.
The fireball was first spotted over the city of Soap Lake in the US state of Washington. Experts recorded it at an altitude of 48 miles (77 km) – the meteor was moving north at a speed of 33,000 miles per hour (53,000 km/h).
It was a small fragment of an asteroid, about 16 inches (40 cm) in diameter and weighing approximately 170 pounds (77 kg). It traveled about 36 miles (58 km) in the upper atmosphere before breaking up 28 miles (45 km) above Sims Corner in the same northwest state.
“When the meteor disintegrated, the fireball released energy equivalent to 10 tons of TNT, creating a shock wave that reached the ground and caused a boom that some witnesses reported. According to weather radar data, small meteorites may be on the ground in this area,” NASA said.
As the American space agency added, the fireball was isolated and was not part of a meteor shower. In addition to Washington, hundreds of people from Idaho, Oregon and the Canadian province of British Columbia saw the flash in the atmosphere.
NIGHT LIGHT ☄️: A bright fireball streaked across the Washington night sky early Aug. 14 at 12:48 am PDT, ushering off a vibrant blue light. First spotted above the town of Soap Lake, the fireball traveled north at about 33,000 mph, covering 36 miles through the atmosphere… pic.twitter.com/ghyGGoWl3M
— FOX Weather (@foxweather) August 15, 2026
The US Geological Survey noted that the meteor was recorded by infrasound recording instruments installed on volcanoes.
“Infrasound is sound waves that the human ear cannot detect. Fireballs are excellent sources of infrasound due to their supersonic speed and fragmentation upon entry into the atmosphere,” explained the geological department.
The event was confirmed by the American Meteor Society (AMS). A total of 266 reports of the fireball were recorded, including 27 videos sent by eyewitnesses to the organization showing the meteor. The footage posted on social media shows a bright blue flash. The celestial phenomenon scared the pets in the area.
Visitors to the annual three-day Bass Canyon electronic dance music festival in Grant County shared particularly vivid impressions with Fox News. There was a “silent party” there at night, when people dance to music while listening to it on headphones to comply with the norms of silence.
“We were dancing, and suddenly everything around became as bright as day, and through the headphones I heard sighs and a strange whistling sound. I raised my head, the bright light disappeared, and I saw a trail in the sky! Hundreds of people looked up in awe, completely shocked,” said event participant Anthony Yazzie.
