“Fireball” Crossing Western Sky Was Debris From Russian Rocket

Military officials say a burning light seen streaking across the sky in three western states was debris from a Russian rocket reentering the atmosphere.

U.S. Strategic Command spokeswoman Julie Ziegenhorn says the fireball seen over Arizona, Nevada and California in the Tuesday night sky was an SL-4 rocket body booster from Russia that was launched Monday.

Dozens of people took to social media to share videos and photos and marvel at the white fireball that some described as a shooting star. Others wondered if it was a meteor breaking up or space debris from a fallen satellite.