A bright fireball crossed the eastern Lake Superior sky around 10 p.m. ET on Nov. 3, 2025, and was widely captured on video. Experts say it may be linked to one of three active meteor showers: the Orionids, Southern Taurids or Northern Taurids. The Southern Taurids are peaking Nov. 3–4 (moon ≈96% full), while the Northern Taurids peak Nov. 8–9 (moon ≈83% full). NASA explains showers occur when Earth passes through debris left by comets or sometimes asteroids.
Brilliant Fireball Over Lake Superior Captured on Video — Likely Linked to Taurid or Orionid Activity
A bright fireball crossed the eastern Lake Superior sky around 10 p.m. ET on Nov. 3, 2025, and was widely captured on video. Experts say it may be linked to one of three active meteor showers: the Orionids, Southern Taurids or Northern Taurids. The Southern Taurids are peaking Nov. 3–4 (moon ≈96% full), while the Northern Taurids peak Nov. 8–9 (moon ≈83% full). NASA explains showers occur when Earth passes through debris left by comets or sometimes asteroids.
20:43, 04.11.2025Science
Bright fireball streaks over eastern Lake Superior
A brilliant fireball lit up the eastern Lake Superior sky at about 10 p.m. ET on Nov. 3, 2025, and was recorded on video before being widely shared on social media, the Michigan Storm Chasers reported. The flash drew attention from viewers across the region and prompted discussion about which meteor shower produced the object.
Officials say the meteor may be associated with one of three active showers: the Orionids, the Southern Taurids or the Northern Taurids. October began a sustained period of meteor activity with the Draconids, Orionids, Southern Taurids and Northern Taurids all becoming active; the Draconids have since ended for the year.
What the experts say
NASA explains that a meteor shower occurs when Earth passes through a stream of debris left behind by a comet (or occasionally an asteroid). When those particles enter our atmosphere, they burn up and produce the streaks of light we call meteors. Exceptionally bright meteors are known as fireballs.
Key shower timing (2025):
- Orionids: active Oct. 2–Nov. 12, peaked Oct. 22–23 (mostly past peak).
- Southern Taurids: active Sept. 10–Nov. 20, peaking Nov. 3–4, 2025; moon ≈96% full — which can reduce visibility of faint meteors.
- Northern Taurids: active until Dec. 10, 2025, with a peak around Nov. 8–9; moon ≈83% full during that peak.
Quick definitions
Meteoroid: a small body traveling through space. Larger rocky bodies are usually called asteroids.
Meteor: the streak of light produced when a meteoroid burns up in Earth's atmosphere; especially bright examples are called fireballs.
Meteorite: any fragment of a meteoroid that survives atmospheric entry and reaches Earth's surface.
Meteor shower: a temporary increase in meteors visible from Earth as our planet passes through a stream of debris.
How you can help
If you filmed the event, consider submitting your sighting and video to the American Meteor Society or a similar organization — eyewitness reports and video help scientists determine a meteor's trajectory and whether any fragments may have fallen. If you find any unusual stones after a bright meteor, do not disturb them and report the find to local authorities or a scientific organization.
This report originally appeared in the Detroit Free Press; details here summarize eyewitness accounts, meteor-shower timing and expert context to help readers understand what they saw.