SKY · FIREBALLS & REENTRIES · USA
Did You See a Fireball Over Washington, D.C.?
If a brilliant streak just crossed the sky over Washington, D.C., it was almost certainly one of two things — a natural meteor (a fireball, gone in seconds) or a human-made object falling back to Earth (a reentry, slower and often breaking apart). Here's what's recently been recorded near Washington, D.C.and what's predicted to come down soon, plus how to tell which you saw.
A single fast flash = meteor; a slow, drawn-out glow with several pieces = a reentry.
From Washington, D.C., at around 39° latitude, only objects on orbits inclined at least that much can pass over you — so the reentry watch list below is filtered to the ones whose ground track can actually reach you.
What's recorded near Washington, D.C. — and what's coming down
Computed for Washington, D.C.: the bright fireballs recently logged nearest you, and the objects predicted to reenter whose orbit can cross your latitude. For your exact spot you can also use your precise location — it never leaves your device.
Checking the sky record…
Reading the live reentry watch list and the recent fireball record near you.
Washington, D.C. right now
If what you saw is still up there and moving steadily, the identifier and tonight's bright passes will name it.
More sky over Washington, D.C.
SEE IT ON THE MAP
Watch satellites and decaying objects move across the live globe.