OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Professional observers say streaking fireballs lighting up California skies and stunning stargazers are part of a major meteor shower, and the show is just getting started.
The Oakland Tribune (http://bit.ly/S4VDjB ) reports the exploding streaks were seen especially over the San Francisco Bay area and other parts of Northern California, with reports of bright fireballs and loud booms from Santa Cruz County to Mendocino County Wednesday night.
National Weather Service forecaster Steve Anderson tells the Tribune that warm temperatures and cloud-free skies are making the bright lights more visible, a phenomenon that should only increase as the weekend approaches and the shower continues.
The fireballs are part of the large, fast Orionid meteor shower, so-named because it has the Orion constellation as a backdrop.
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Information from: The Oakland Tribune, http://www.oaklandtribune.com
