Objects Streak Across the Sky in Chicago Suburbs
Did you see it?
Some in the western suburbs of Chicago, including Yorkville and Wadsworth, reported seeing objects streaking across the night sky, leaving a trail of what appeared to be flames in their wake.
Video Footage
Video captured by Yorkville, Illinois resident Nannette Englehardt showed the objects flying from west to east across the sky at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
What Exactly Were They?
According to NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman, the objects did not appear to be meteors. Instead, it was likely "space junk," or "space debris."
What is Space Junk?
"There’s over 5,000 tons of space junk orbiting the atmosphere," Roman explained. "Sometimes you get this atmospheric drag, or basically, a pull that takes that junk out of orbit, and it comes into our atmosphere."
What Happens When it Reaches Our Atmosphere?
Once it reaches our atmosphere, Roman said, it burns up. "So that’s why you saw the trail of flames, and it disintegrates," Roman added.
Where Does the Debris Go?
Much of the time, the debris doesn’t reach the ground, but may land in the ocean or a rural area. "But a lot of the time, it just disintegrates," Roman said. "That’s what we saw last night."
The Source of the Debris
Roman noted that the "space junk" is from things like satellites and other objects that the United States and other countries have sent into space. "They collide, and then they just, you know, snap," Roman said. "If it was a rock, it would become a meteor."
Conclusion
The sight of objects streaking across the sky is rare, making it even more special to have been seen in the Chicago area.
FAQs
Q: What is space junk?
A: Space junk, also known as space debris, is the collection of defunct man-made objects in space like old satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from disintegration, erosion, and collisions.
Q: What happens when space junk enters our atmosphere?
A: It burns up, leaving a trail of flames and disintegrating.
Q: Where does the debris usually go?
A: It doesn’t usually reach the ground, but may land in the ocean or a rural area. Sometimes it disintegrates in the atmosphere.
Q: What is the source of space junk?
A: Space junk is from man-made objects sent into space, such as satellites and other objects.
