American Meteor Society
20+ reports from 7 states
February is the start of the evening fireball season, when an abundance of fireballs seem to occur.
The AMS received more than 20 reports so far about a fireball event that occurred between Indianapolis, IN and Chicago, IL on February 15th, 2022 around 02:15 AM EST (07:14 Universal Time). The AMS #2022-1105 event was mainly seen from Illinois and Indiana but we also received reports from Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan and Arkansas.
If you witnessed this event and/or if you have a video or a photo of this event, please
Submit an Official Fireball Report
If you want to learn more about Fireballs: read our Fireball FAQ.
The ground trajectory computed from the witness reports shows that the meteor was traveling from North East to South West and ended its visible flight West of Lafayette, IL.
Photos and Videos
So far, we received 8 videos of this fireball (see related event page).
Fireball, Bolide?
Several thousand meteors of fireball magnitude occur in the Earth’s atmosphere each day. The vast majority of these, however, occur over the oceans and uninhabited regions, and a good many are masked by daylight. Those that occur at night also stand little chance of being detected due to the relatively low numbers of persons out to notice them.
Additionally, the brighter the fireball, the more rare is the event. As a general thumb rule, there are only about 1/3 as many fireballs present for each successively brighter magnitude class, following an exponential decrease. Experienced observers can expect to see only about one fireball of magnitude -6 (crescent moon) or better for every 200 hours of meteor observing, while a fireball of magnitude -4 (Venus) can be expected about once every 20 hours or so.
I witnedaed a fireball last night Feb,15,2022 around 10:00 to 11.00 PM in Clearwater, approximately going straight down in the northwest sky. Many years ago up north on Long Island I witnessed the meteorite that dropped down in Massachusets, that one was in the sky going over New York across the sky, that was the most exciting thing I ever saw in the sky.
Nick Giroffi
Clearwater Florida
Nickyg33@aol.com
I saw this as well Nick here in Utah, why is the comments saying we posted this a year ago? It was Feb 15th 2023 @ approximately 11:07 p.m. Utah time! It was incredible.
I saw 4 or more possibly fly out of the waxing Cresent at moon set around 9:45 or 10:00 that evening of February 5th 2022. They were behind the tree tops but it appeared as if they flew right out of the moon.
Very Cool wish I would’ve had video. I do have a witness however. This occurred in Long Beach Ms. On February 5th ,2022
I saw something in Elkins, WV February 15, at 5:15 am. It had an orangish glow to it & seemed to be falling from sky. Then I heard a loud boom. Not sure if that was the same thing that happened in other states but seems too coincidental. Any info would be appreciated!
I witnessed a fireball???? Last night at 930 or so Feb 18th. It appeared as a giant bright white ball shooting straight down across the street behind the Reddings Mill Inn. Very cool
2 fireball falling in opposite directions indianapolins at or around 7ish febuaty 27 2022 I can’t find any information about it but I saw it they were slowing moving than the videos I looked up but something on fire was there
My Husband and I witnessed this fire ball deep orange/yellow,with big chunks breaking off it’s end. It was headed North of where I live here in Utah it was 11:07 p.m.
I see my post is stating I saw this a year ago, which in fact it was 24 and a few minutes ago! WTH?