Americans were shocked to see the Starlink satellite fall to Earth in pieces.
This past weekend, skywatchers across the American Southwest spotted a fireball streaking across the night sky. But it turns out the meteor was man-made and not part of one of three ongoing natural meteor showers.
According to Fox, dozens of reports from Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas were sent to the American Meteor Society about a fireball streaking across the sky between the night of November 9 and the morning of November 10. Videos and photos showed a streak of light with many glowing pieces moving across the sky. Some reports said the display looked like "fireworks."
According to astronomer and orbital debris expert Jonathan McDowell, the fireball was a SpaceX Starlink internet satellite, part of a 2022 launch batch. SpaceX has thousands of Starlink satellites orbiting Earth to provide internet access around the world . The satellites are designed to re-enter Earth's atmosphere at the end of their missions to prevent defunct satellites from littering Earth's orbit.
McDowell wrote on X that the satellite fell over Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Oklahoma, "apparently seen by many people."
Starlink satellites when deployed into orbit. (Photo: SpaceX)
The Starlink satellite “landing” coincides with several meteor showers. The Leonids, Southern and Northern Taurids peak in November.
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