Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
THE GREAT WHITE NORTH — There are shooting stars and then there are shooting stars.
What's the difference? With shooting stars, you see a tiny little zip of light go across the night sky. It's always a pleasant sight, no matter how many you've witnessed over the years.
On the other hand, shooting stars flash into your view like a runaway train. The first time I saw one was at a Scout camp in central Utah. As my friends and I lay there under the night sky, a vibrant light suddenly streaked past over our heads. We all shrieked, thinking it was a burning plane plummeting toward Earth.
However, it turned out to just be one of those shooting stars you never forget.
As I understand it, they're all technically meteoroids entering our atmosphere. Sometimes, they're small and quaint, while other times, they burn up with such intensity that they're known as "fireballs."
I'm sure there have been bigger ones than the fireball showcased in this video, but it was fun to see. Definitely reminds me of the few times in my life I've been lucky enough to observe one.
This shooting star made its appearance in Ontario, Canada.
"I was driving home with my wife when this amazing shooting star captured her attention first, then mine. As luck would have it, we had mostly clear skies and a full view of the shooting star as it streaked across the sky. This particular shooting star has been verified as a fireball incident by the American Meteor Society. Video details show the shooting star fragmenting and then fully breaking apart in a brilliant flash of light."
I had no idea that some shooting stars are officially declared fireballs, but it makes sense this beauty made the grade. And, if you want to see another impressive meteoroid, check out this amazing video from Montana.
