What was that bright flash seen in sky above Washington state? What we know

Did you spot a bright flash of light in the sky above Washington state?

People across parts of Canada and the Pacific Northwest reported seeing a bright fireball in the early morning hours on Wednesday, April 29.

What was the bright flash?

Here’s what we know:

What was bright flash in sky above Washington state?

Just after midnight on Wednesday, the American Meteor Society received more than 120 reports of a massive fireball.

Most of the reports came from site users in Washington state and British Columbia in Columbia. People in Oregon reported seeing the fireball as well.

Many observers described spotting an exceptionally bright fireball that came from up right and moved down left. Some said the bright light had a green or blue hue, and a few noted hearing a loud sound as well.

“Never seen anything quite like that,” a person from Victoria, British Columbia, wrote in their submission.

The American Meteor Society tracks potential meteors through both amateur and professional reports, collecting data on meteors, showers, fireballs and “related meteoric phenomena.”

The society accepts submissions when fireballs are seen.

Users can report a phenomenon whenever they see one, including details on location, direction, brightness, color, sound and more. Videos can be attached if available.

Some people who reported spotting a fireball on Wednesday noted how much bigger this phenomenon appeared than standard shooting stars or even common meteor showers.

“This was easily the most beautiful and somewhat frightening astrological event I have ever seen, if it really was one,” a site user from Bremerton wrote.

Did a meteor fall over Pacific Northwest?

Staff at the National Weather Service’s Pendleton station said they weren’t aware of the fireball as of Wednesday.

They told McClatchy Media that it likely was not a regular meteorological phenomenon or an expected event.

While the Lyrid meteor shower was technically active at the time, it is unlikely this fireball was connected to the Lyrids.

The Lyrid shower meteor reached peak viewing conditions in Washington state on April 21 and 22, and Lyrid meteors traditionally have a different appearance.

Some experts are speculating that sky watchers may have spotted an unrelated sporadic meteor.

As of Wednesday, it was unclear what the phenomenon actually was.

The American Meteor Society said it’s investigating the reports.