SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A brilliant fireball streaked across the night sky over Northern California on Sunday, March 22, 2026, drawing more than 200 eyewitness reports from California, Nevada and Arizona and marking the third notable meteor event in the United States in just six days.

California Meteor Sighting Becomes Third in One Week Across US
California Meteor Sighting Becomes Third in One Week Across US as Fireball Streaks Over Northern State

The American Meteor Society said the meteor was first detected about 49 miles above Chowchilla in the Central Valley, traveling south at approximately 35,000 mph. It burned brightly for several seconds before disintegrating roughly 29 miles above Colfax in the Sierra Nevada foothills after covering about 58 miles through the atmosphere. Many observers described a vivid greenish streak that lit up the horizon around 8 p.m. local time.

Videos captured on home security cameras, doorbell devices and the Lick Observatory's SkyCam on Mount Hamilton showed the fireball's dramatic passage. Residents from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Coast and as far south as the San Joaquin Valley reported the sighting. Some described it as "kinda terrifying" due to its brightness and sudden appearance, while others marveled at the rare celestial display.

NASA confirmed the event was a meteor entering Earth's atmosphere and stated it does not appear related to the other recent bright fireballs observed across the country. The space agency and the American Meteor Society continue to analyze radar data and eyewitness accounts for any possible meteorite fragments, though none have been reported recovered so far.

The California fireball follows two other significant meteor events in quick succession. On March 17, a large daytime fireball streaked over northern Ohio and parts of the Northeast, producing a loud sonic boom that rattled buildings and was felt across multiple states. NASA estimated the object was nearly 6 feet in diameter and weighed about 7 tons before breaking apart. Search efforts for meteorites in Ohio drew crowds of enthusiasts.

Just days later, on March 21, another bright meteor exploded over the Houston area in Texas, producing a loud boom and scattering fragments. NASA data showed it entered the atmosphere about 49 miles above Stagecoach, northwest of Houston, traveling at around 35,000 mph before disintegrating near Bammel. Doppler radar detected possible meteorite fragments, prompting local interest in recovery.

Together, the three events have heightened public awareness of meteors and sparked widespread social media sharing of videos and personal accounts. Experts emphasize that while the timing seems unusual, such clusters of bright fireballs can occur naturally due to Earth passing through streams of debris from comets or asteroids.

Mike Hankey, operations manager for the American Meteor Society, noted that fireballs — meteors brighter than Venus — are reported somewhere in the world almost daily, but multiple high-profile sightings in a short period in the same country are less common. "These are random pieces of space rock that have been orbiting the sun for billions of years," he said. "When they hit our atmosphere, they create these spectacular shows."

Astronomers explain that most meteors are tiny grains of dust that burn up completely high in the atmosphere. Larger ones, like those seen recently, can survive longer and sometimes drop meteorites to the ground. The recent California event's high speed and bright green color suggest it may have contained metals such as magnesium or nickel that produce distinctive hues when heated.

The uptick in sightings has prompted questions about whether increased meteor activity signals anything unusual. Scientists say no. Earth encounters millions of tons of meteoritic material each year, with peaks during annual meteor showers such as the Perseids in August or the Geminids in December. The current period in late March falls near the end of the Virgoids and other minor showers, but experts attribute the recent bright events primarily to sporadic meteors rather than a specific shower.

Skywatchers across the western United States expressed excitement mixed with mild alarm. One Sacramento resident told local media the flash was so intense it briefly lit up her backyard like daylight. In the Bay Area, drivers pulled over to record the phenomenon on their phones. Social media platforms filled with hashtags like #CaliforniaMeteor and #Fireball2026, with users comparing the event to previous notable sightings.

No injuries or property damage were reported from any of the three recent fireballs. However, the Ohio event's sonic boom startled residents and briefly raised concerns about possible explosions before authorities confirmed its meteoric origin.

The string of sightings serves as a reminder of Earth's constant interaction with space debris. NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office and ground-based networks like the American Meteor Society track these events to better understand the population of near-Earth objects and improve models for atmospheric entry.

For amateur astronomers and the public, the events offer an opportunity to engage with citizen science. The American Meteor Society encourages witnesses to submit detailed reports, including time, location, direction of travel and duration, to help refine trajectories and search areas for potential meteorites.

As March continues, the meteor activity outlook remains typical for the season, with sporadic fireballs possible at any time. The next notable shower, the Lyrids, peaks in mid-to-late April and could produce additional bright meteors under dark skies.

In the meantime, residents in California and across the country are encouraged to keep cameras ready on clear nights. While the odds of seeing a bright fireball on any given evening are low, the recent cluster demonstrates that spectacular events can occur without warning.

Scientists continue to monitor the skies for larger objects that could pose impact risks, though none of the recent fireballs represented any threat. The vast majority of meteors pose no danger, burning up harmlessly dozens of miles above the surface.

The California sighting, coming on the heels of the Ohio and Texas events, has captivated the public and reignited interest in astronomy. Planetariums and observatories report increased inquiries, and local astronomy clubs have scheduled viewing sessions to explain the science behind these dazzling displays.

For now, the three fireballs in one week stand as a vivid illustration of the dynamic solar system we inhabit, where tiny fragments from distant cosmic history occasionally put on a show for those fortunate enough to look up at the right moment.