A bright fireball was observed crossing Vancouver Island at 07:12 UTC on April 29, 2026. The meteor, likely a fragment from a comet, entered the atmosphere at an astonishing speed of 29.5 km/s (106,200 km/h or 65,900 mph) and fragmented over the Pacific Ocean.
The event began when the fireball became visible at an altitude of 90.6 km (56.3 miles) above Oktwanch Peak. It traveled southwest for approximately 89 km (55 miles) before breaking apart at an altitude of 62 km (38.6 miles). The end point of its trajectory was about 32 km (20 miles) west of Yuquot.
Observers reported a stunning array of colors from the fireball, including green, blue-green, white, orange, and red. Many witnesses noted that the fireball lasted between 1.5 to 3.5 seconds in the sky, with some describing persistent trains following it for up to five seconds.
Eyewitness accounts flooded in after the event, with over 135 reports and 15 videos submitted to the American Meteor Society from people across British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. NASA noted that this surge in sightings is partly due to increased access to cameras and reporting methods.
But what does this mean for our understanding of meteors? Experts emphasize that such events are becoming more common as technology improves—more people can capture these fleeting moments.
This particular meteor likely weighed around 454 kg (1,000 pounds) and measured about 0.6 m (2 feet) in diameter before it broke apart over the ocean. Some observers even reported delayed sounds reminiscent of booms or tapping noises following its passage.
The increase in reports from regions like the Pacific Northwest highlights a growing interest in meteor showers and celestial phenomena among the public. As Jim Todd explained, “A fireball is essentially a meteor that doesn’t zip by quickly like a shooting star but instead falls rather slowly and extremely bright.”
This incident not only captivates those who witnessed it but also serves as a reminder of our place in the universe—a brief yet brilliant display of nature’s wonders.
