Early last Friday morning Delores Armstrong of Eckville, Alberta; reported seeing a, “great big fireball”. Armstrong said she is not certain what exactly it was however, “It was lighting up the whole town. It was unreal.” The fireball did not appear to be moving and there was no streak of light trailing behind it as is usually seen with meteors. Neither the R.C.M.P. in the area in the area nor the Eckville town office received reports of anyone else seeing a fireball.
Now I have witnessed a few odd things over the years (even one or two when I am sober). In fact one time as I was driving down the highway just a few miles from Eckville, out of the corner of my eye I saw a large shower of sparks erupt from the top of a power line for no apparent reason. As far as I know there were no power disruptions reported in that area at that time.
I believe that what Ms. Armstrong witnessed was very possibly ball lightning. A phenomenon which can behave in unpredictable ways, but is often seen as a large fireball.
I’m trying to think up a funny comment for this, but all the ones I can think of are just mean. Sorry, but the only I can think of is maybe she was drinking a little too much Blue Beaver Beer. I know I really suck tonight.
I have seen the same thing in Florida about a month ago, very low in the sky right above the horizon about 3am…
I have never seen ball lightning were I live, probably because we do not get that much lightning when it storms. I have seen a picture of it and it looks like a site to behold in person.