Fireball Flies Across Almeria Sky At 108,000 Km/h, Captured By Calar Alto Observatory

Late Tuesday, March 17, immoderate group looking retired their model astatine conscionable nan correct infinitesimal whitethorn person noticed a blinding ray sprout done nan nighttime sky. This was not a instrumentality of nan eyes but alternatively a fiery asteroid racing crossed nan skyline.

For those not fortunate capable to spot nan interstellar phenomenon, Almeria’s Calar Alto Observatory captured nan infinitesimal it flew by. Scroll down to spot nan afloat video.

Watch nan video:

☄️Bólido 17/03/2026 (22:30 UT):
🔸Tipo de evento: asteroidal.
🔸Velocidad inicial: 108.000 km/h.
🔸Altitud inicial: 95 km.
🔸Altitud final: 42 km.
🧭 Albacete

Proyecto S.M.A.R.T de @jmmadiedo#bolido #observatoriocalaralto #astronomía #ciencia #meteorito pic.twitter.com/SKQazia0WV

— Observatorio Astronómico de Calar Alto (@ObsCalarAlto) March 18, 2026

The blink and you’ll miss it infinitesimal was recorded by nan North camera of nan observatory’s SMART task detector astatine 10.30pm.

Fireball arena recorded successful existent time

Tuesday’s fireball is nan first recorded by Calar Alto successful 2026, pinch nan erstwhile cosmic occurrence lighting up nan entity connected December 20 and 21. The little but aggravated flash is portion of a increasing grounds of atmospheric entries monitored complete confederate Spain, offering valuable information for astronomers studying near-Earth objects.

Professor Jose Maria Madiedo, interrogator astatine nan Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), conducted nan preliminary analysis. He wished that nan asteroid reached an first velocity of 108,000 kilometre’s and an first altitude of 95 kilometres earlier ending its trajectory astatine an altitude of 42 kilometres.

These measurements thief scientists amended understand really small celestial bodies disintegrate arsenic they participate Earth’s atmosphere.

Calar Alto Observatory’s domiciled successful meteor tracking

Located successful nan Sierra de los Filabres successful nan northbound of Almeria, nan Calar Alto Observatory is simply a singular astronomical centre, 1 of nan largest successful Europe. Since it was founded successful 1973, it has conducted immoderate of nan astir cutting-edge astronomical research, successful summation to capturing mesmerising cosmic events, galore of which are available to watch connected their website.

The observatory is equipped pinch precocious monitoring systems that let continuous entity surveillance, making it a cardinal installation for search meteors, fireballs, and different transient abstraction phenomena.

Events for illustration Tuesday’s fireball are not only visually spectacular but besides scientifically significant. Each recorded trajectory helps researchers refine models of asteroid behaviour, atmospheric introduction dynamics, and imaginable effect risks. Continuous monitoring besides contributes to planetary defence initiatives, ensuring amended preparedness for early near-Earth entity encounters.