A Celestial Show: Meteor Madness Over Colorado
In a spectacular display that could give any fireworks show a run for its money, the night sky over Colorado was dramatically illuminated on Sunday, October 3rd. A meteor, flashing with brilliance thrice that of a full moon, streaked across the horizon, capturing the attention of residents and astronomers alike.
As we embrace the crisp air of fall, meteor season is officially in full swing, promising an increase in cosmic drama as we inch deeper into October. If this weekend’s event is any indication, we might be in for quite a show.
Eyewitness accounts flooded in from various locations, including Castlerock and Boulder, as a brilliant light zipped across the sky around 4:30 a.m. Mountain Time. The meteor, moving at an astonishing speed, detonated mid-flight, momentarily transforming the darkness into daylight, as reported by NASA Meteor Watch.
This dazzling fireball didn’t go unnoticed; it was recorded by numerous residential security cameras, providing ample fodder for social media enthusiasts and astronomy buffs.
With multiple sightings corroborated by the Cloudbait Observatory and satellite lightning mappers, the American Meteor Society is now meticulously analyzing this cosmic occurrence.
According to NASA Meteor Watch, the meteor first became visible at an altitude of 54 miles over the mountains east of Vail, traveling at a staggering 55,000 miles per hour. During its brief 30-mile descent through the upper atmosphere, it fragmented twice, unleashing flares of light that rivaled the brightness of the full moon. Ultimately, it disintegrated at about 35 miles above Vasquez Peak, creating a flash three times as bright as the full moon and momentarily dazzling viewers below.
Reports suggest the meteor appeared near Estes Park and likely headed toward Boulder, west of Denver, leaving a trail of awe in its wake.
This October, two meteor showers are gracing our skies: the Southern Taurids, active from September 10 to November 20, and the more spectacular Orionids, which run from October 2 to November 7, peaking on October 21. Stargazers can expect to spot roughly 13 meteors per hour in the early morning hours, according to the Meteor Society.
So, keep your door cam at the ready as meteor season ramps up—who knows what you might capture soaring through the night?
We invite you to share your celestial encounters with us at [email protected]. To stay inspired, sign up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter.
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