KEY POINTS

  • A loud noise was heard in Arizona on Sunday
  • Residents spotted a fireball in the sky
  • Authorities believe the incident was caused by a meteor explosion

Residents of Arizona reported seeing a bright streak of light in the sky, followed by a loud noise on Sunday. Based on eyewitness reports, it is believed that an asteroid hit Earth and exploded over the state.

On Sunday morning, residents in northern Arizona were startled after hearing a loud booming noise. Several eyewitnesses from various cities across the state also reported hearing the mysterious sound.

Many residents thought an earthquake caused the incident while others believe something had fallen from the sky. Over at the American Meteor Society’s website, a total of 17 eyewitness reports were filed regarding the incident. Many of the eyewitnesses who reported the loud noise were from Phoenix and Scottsdale.

One resident from Scottsdale said that he saw a bright object flying across the sky when he heard the loud noise. He said the strange object flew faster than an aircraft.

“I was looking out the north windows of my house at about 7:26 a.m. and saw a bright bluish/green flashing and flaming object with a very short smoke trail moving extremely fast, much faster than any aircraft, from the east heading down and west,” Joe Faranda said according to Arizona Family.

Faranda noted that the bright fireball appeared for about three seconds. Other residents in the city reported seeing the same object along with fragments flying beside it.

Local authorities and agencies in the state are still investigating the matter to determine the cause of the loud noise. But, based on eyewitness reports, they believe the object was a meteor that burned up in Earth’s atmosphere. The space rock may have exploded as it streaked across the sky.

Through Facebook updates, the Yavapai County Sherriff’s Office (YCSO) confirmed that there were no aircraft traffic events when the fireball was spotted and the loud noise was heard. For now, the agency is referring to the incident as a meteor fall.

“So far some type of meteor event, as witnessed by numerous residents in the area, seems to be the best explanation for the loud boom heard earlier,” the agency stated. “YCSO has received no official explanations at this time.”

Asteroid
Image: Artist illustration of an asteroid heading for the Earth Pixabay