Reports Report 612bc (Event 612-2026)
| Observer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Rhian H |
| Experience Level | 2/5 |
| Remarks | Repeating my description, just to be sure the whole thing is registered: I observed a large fireball-like phenomenon over western Lake Superior at approximately 12:33 AM CST on January 24, 2026. Observation point was Ashland, Wisconsin, viewed from a west-facing window. The object appeared approximately 1 degree below Jupiter, which was bright and clearly visible in the western sky. The fireball traveled from south to north. Estimated angular length was approximately 5 degrees (about 10 full-moon diameters), with an apparent width of roughly 0.04–0.05 degrees. The object showed clear fragmentation, with multiple luminous pieces trailing the main body and a persistent glowing trail. The trail was bright white in color and appeared to “flow” or ripple. Several fragments were observed arcing off to either side before fading out. The leading portion was an intense white fireball of irregular shape, followed by several smaller points of light. Apparent angular speed was approximately 1.5–2 times that of a high-altitude jetliner as seen from the ground. The phenomenon was visible for an estimated 6–10 seconds. After moving out of the initial field of view, it was observed again from another window farther north, appearing dimmer but still fragmenting as it continued northward. |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Address | Ashland, WI |
| Latitude | 46° 35' 54.32'' N (46.598423°) |
| Longitude | 90° 52' 5.8'' W (-90.868277°) |
| Elevation | 195.098053m |
| Time and Duration | |
|---|---|
| Local Date & Time | 2026-01-24 00:33 CST |
| UT Date & Time | 2026-01-24 06:33 UT |
| Duration | ≈7.5s |
| Direction | |
|---|---|
| Moving direction | From down left to up right |
| Descent Angle | 88° |
| Moving | |
|---|---|
| Facing azimuth | - |
| First azimuth | 212.46° |
| First elevation | 43° |
| Last azimuth | 308.82° |
| Last elevation | 37° |
| Brightness and color | |
|---|---|
| Stellar Magnitude | -14 |
| Color | White |
| Concurrent Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Delayed Sound | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Persistent train | |
|---|---|
| Observation | Yes |
| Duration | 5s |
| Length | 10° |
| Remarks | I observed a large fireball-like phenomenon over western Lake Superior at approximately 12:33 AM CST on January 24, 2026. Observation point was Ashland, Wisconsin, viewed from a west-facing window. The object appeared approximately 1 degree below Jupiter, which was bright and clearly visible in the western sky. The fireball traveled from south to north. Estimated angular length was approximately 5 degrees (about 10 full-moon diameters), with an apparent width of roughly 0.04–0.05 degrees. The object showed clear fragmentation, with multiple luminous pieces trailing the main body and a persistent glowing trail. The trail was bright white in color and appeared to “flow” or ripple. Several fragments were observed arcing off to either side before fading out. The leading portion was an intense white fireball of irregular shape, followed by several smaller points of light. Apparent angular speed was approximately 1.5–2 times that of a high-altitude jetliner as seen from the ground. The phenomenon was visible for an estimated 6–10 seconds. After moving out of the initial field of view, it was observed again from another window farther north, appearing dimmer but still fragmenting as it continued northward. |
| Terminal flash | |
|---|---|
| Observation | No |
| Remarks | - |
| Fragmentation | |
|---|---|
| Observation | Yes |
| Remarks | Fragmentation occurred throughout the flight time, bright specks were visible arcing off to the sides before "going out," and several smaller flecks were trailing the main fireball throughout much of its flight. |