Great balls of fire! Meteor is captured on camera in Arkansas and Alabama with experts predicting more 'fireballs' are on the way

  • The meteors that streaked across the night sky on Friday are known as 'fireballs'
  • Stargazers took to social media to share the moment they'd captured on camera 
  • Meteors were also visible in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Missouri
  • Experts say more 'fireball' style meteors are on the way in November

By CHANTALLE EDMUNDS FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Residents in Arkansas and Alabama captured a celestial phenomenon on Friday as a large meteor, described as a 'fireball,' streaked across the night sky.

Those who caught the dramatic moment took to social media to share the spectacular sight. 

There were also reports of meteors visible in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Missouri. 

On Twitter, The National Weather Service in Birmingham, described one meteor as 'orange with a green tail' and posted a video of a sighting at Shelby County Airport.

The meteors are part of the 'Taurid meteor shower,' an annual event. According to the American Meteor Society both the Southern Taurids and the Northern Taurids are currently active. 

The Society received 379 reports of fireball sightings on Friday night alone.

The meteors are part of the 'Taurid meteor shower,' an annual event lasting between September and November

The meteors are part of the 'Taurid meteor shower,' an annual event lasting between September and November

The meteors that streaked across the night sky on Friday are known as 'fireballs'

The meteors that streaked across the night sky on Friday are known as 'fireballs'

There were also reports of meteors visible in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Missouri

There were also reports of meteors visible in Oklahoma, Mississippi and Missouri

'The Southern Taurids are a long-lasting shower with several minor peaks in October and November,' according to the American Meteor Society.

'The shower is active for two months but rarely produces more than five shower members per hour, even at maximum activity. 

'The Taurids (both branches) are most notable for colorful fireballs and are often responsible for an increased number of fireball reports from September through November.'

The American Meteor Society received 379 reports of fireball sightings on Friday night

The American Meteor Society received 379 reports of fireball sightings on Friday night

Explained: The difference between an asteroid, meteorite and other space rocks

An asteroid is a large chunk of rock left over from collisions or the early solar system. Most are located between Mars and Jupiter in the Main Belt.

A comet is a rock covered in ice, methane and other compounds. Their orbits take them much further out of the solar system.

A meteor is what astronomers call a flash of light in the atmosphere when debris burns up.

This debris itself is known as a meteoroid. Most are so small they are vapourised in the atmosphere.

If any of this meteoroid makes it to Earth, it is called a meteorite.

Meteors, meteoroids and meteorites normally originate from asteroids and comets.

For example, if Earth passes through the tail of a comet, much of the debris burns up in the atmosphere, forming a meteor shower.

The Northern and Southern Taurids are active together in late October and early November. This can lead to an notable increase in fireball activity.  

November 5 could be a good night to turn your eyes skyward. 

According to earthysky.org there could be a higher-than-average rate of South Taurid meteors shooting across the sky.

Birmingham

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