Fireball report

Observer
Name	Matthew G
Experience Level	2/5
Remarks	Happy to answer any questions!

Location
Address	Bethany Beach, DE
Latitude	38° 32' 17.27'' N (38.53813°)
Longitude	75° 3' 40.67'' W (-75.061296°)
Elevation	1.185786m

Time and Duration
Local Date & Time	2026-05-17 01:21 EDT
UT Date & Time	2026-05-17 05:21 UT
Duration	≈3.5s

Direction
Moving direction	From up right to down left
Descent Angle	240°

Moving
Facing azimuth	90.59°
First azimuth	90.22°
First elevation	13°
Last azimuth	83.87°
Last elevation	13°

Brightness and color
Stellar Magnitude	-11
Color	Orange, Yellow, Light Yellow, Brown, White

Concurrent Sound
Observation	No
Remarks	-

Delayed Sound
Observation	No
Remarks	-

Persistent train
Observation	Unknown
Duration	-
Length	-
Remarks	-

Terminal flash
Observation	Yes
Remarks	I observed a bright streaky fireball low in the sky moving right to left across Garfield Parkway (east/northeast direction) when facing toward town. It passed directly over the totem pole in Bethany Beach and continued toward the ocean/beach in the direction of Mangos and Campbell Place. The object moved quickly across the sky in just a few seconds. It showed a mix of white, yellow, light yellow, orange, and brownish tones. It then produced a bright flash and expansion as it fragmented, followed by smaller pieces that quickly faded and disappeared. The event appeared low on the horizon and relatively close overhead. I was outside walking our dog Mickey who suddenly needed to go out. After it passed, Mickey kept staring in the direction the fireball had gone. This was approximately between 1:20-1:22 am ET on May 17, 2026.

Terminal flash

Observation

Yes

Remarks

I observed a bright streaky fireball low in the sky moving right to left across Garfield Parkway (east/northeast direction) when facing toward town. It passed directly over the totem pole in Bethany Beach and continued toward the ocean/beach in the direction of Mangos and Campbell Place. The object moved quickly across the sky in just a few seconds. It showed a mix of white, yellow, light yellow, orange, and brownish tones. It then produced a bright flash and expansion as it fragmented, followed by smaller pieces that quickly faded and disappeared. The event appeared low on the horizon and relatively close overhead. I was outside walking our dog Mickey who suddenly needed to go out. After it passed, Mickey kept staring in the direction the fireball had gone. This was approximately between 1:20-1:22 am ET on May 17, 2026.

Fragmentation
Observation	Yes
Remarks	I observed a bright streaky fireball low in the sky moving right to left across Garfield Parkway (east/northeast direction) when facing toward town. It passed directly over the totem pole in Bethany Beach and continued toward the ocean/beach in the direction of Mangos and Campbell Place. The object moved quickly across the sky in just a few seconds. It showed a mix of white, yellow, light yellow, orange, and brownish tones. It then produced a bright flash and expansion as it fragmented, followed by smaller pieces that quickly faded and disappeared. The event appeared low on the horizon and relatively close overhead. I was outside walking our dog Mickey who suddenly needed to go out. After it passed, Mickey kept staring in the direction the fireball had gone. This was approximately between 1:20-1:22 am ET on May 17, 2026.

Fragmentation

Observation

Yes

Remarks

I observed a bright streaky fireball low in the sky moving right to left across Garfield Parkway (east/northeast direction) when facing toward town. It passed directly over the totem pole in Bethany Beach and continued toward the ocean/beach in the direction of Mangos and Campbell Place. The object moved quickly across the sky in just a few seconds. It showed a mix of white, yellow, light yellow, orange, and brownish tones. It then produced a bright flash and expansion as it fragmented, followed by smaller pieces that quickly faded and disappeared. The event appeared low on the horizon and relatively close overhead. I was outside walking our dog Mickey who suddenly needed to go out. After it passed, Mickey kept staring in the direction the fireball had gone. This was approximately between 1:20-1:22 am ET on May 17, 2026.

Reports Report 3569b (Event 3569-2026)