A brilliant fireball lit Vancouver’s skies Tuesday night, triggering a sonic boom felt from Fraser Valley to Washington State. Likely a meteor sighting.
Bright Fireball Stuns Vancouver Skies
Metro Vancouver residents were treated to a spectacular—and startling—celestial show Tuesday evening. Shortly after 9 p.m. PT, a dazzling fireball streaked across the night sky, accompanied by a booming sonic crack that rattled homes and captured global attention online.
Social media lit up as witnesses shared videos and photos of the luminous object, which illuminated the horizon from one end to the other. Doorbell cameras in Coquitlam even captured the fleeting blaze as it streaked over the city around 9:08 p.m.
A Meteor Lights Up the Night
Experts say what Vancouverites likely saw was a bolide, a large meteor that explodes in Earth’s atmosphere. Bolides often originate from asteroids or comets, burning brilliantly before breaking apart in a bright flash.
This particular meteor made a significant impact—not just visually. The sonic boom produced was so powerful that it registered on several local seismographs, instruments that measure vibrations and ground motion.
Witnesses Across the Region
Reports poured in from across the Fraser Valley and even into Washington State, where the sonic boom was clearly heard. Residents described the sky suddenly glowing as the fireball tore through the clouds, leaving viewers both amazed and curious.
Many shared footage online, showing the streak of light racing across the sky—a reminder of the rare but spectacular celestial events that occasionally grace the Pacific Northwest.
What Happens Next
While meteors frequently enter Earth’s atmosphere, bolides of this magnitude are less common. Scientists will continue to analyze seismic data and video footage to estimate the meteor’s size, trajectory, and possible remnants.
For now, Vancouver can celebrate witnessing one of nature’s most dazzling light shows—a fiery reminder of the wonders waiting just beyond our sky.
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