Meteorite May Have Pierced Georgia Home After Daytime Fireball

A dazzling meteor illuminated the skies above the southeastern United States, potentially culminating in a direct hit on a Georgia residence. Observers witnessed the celestial event, which produced sonic booms, leading to speculation about a rare daytime meteor strike.

Fiery Sky Display

The fireball streaked across the sky at approximately 12:25 EDT on Friday, visible across multiple states. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-19 satellite detected the atmospheric phenomenon. The event was bright, the product of a meteoroid entering the atmosphere.

A fireball, or a bright meteorite, was seen across the southeastern United States on Thursday and later exploded over Georgia, creating booms heard by residents in the area, according to NASA.The American Meteor Society said it received more than 160 reports of a fireball… pic.twitter.com/c7yBQjAQanJune 27, 2025

“Daylight fireballs are rare in that it takes a large object (larger than a beachball compared to your normal pea-sized meteor) to be bright enough to be seen during the day,”

—Robert Lunsford, American Meteor Association

Daytime fireballs are infrequent occurrences. Reports suggest that the United States averages only one per month, approximately one out of every 3,000 reports. In 2023, the U.S. had a total of 2,248 confirmed meteor sightings (American Meteor Society).

Meteor’s Path and Possible Impact

The meteor initially appeared 48 miles (77 kilometers) above Oxford, Georgia, moving at about 30,000 mph (48,000 km/h), according to Bill Cooke, lead at NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office. The celestial event may have been linked to the beta Taurid meteor shower, active in late June. This shower happens as Earth passes through remnants of Comet 2P/Encke.

Footage of the fireball fueled speculation about surviving fragments. Photos emerged online, seemingly showing damage from a meteorite in Henry County, Georgia. This further supports the likelihood of the meteor reaching the ground.

Here's the hole an apparent meteorite made in one Henry County home, and what landed on floor. We're covering this story live on Channel 2. pic.twitter.com/eBc6GtrvEkJune 26, 2025

Lunsford noted that larger meteors, unlike typical pea-sized ones, are more likely to produce ground fragments. Sounds like thunder or sonic booms further confirm the possibility of fragments reaching the surface.

Historical Precedent

If confirmed, this is not the first time that a daylight Taurid meteor has left a mark on Earth. Lunsford mentioned that a massive meteor, possibly from the annual shower, exploded over Siberia in June 1908. The powerful event caused massive fires, flattening 80 million trees; the event is known as the ‘Tunguska Event.’