Backyard Camera Captures Meteor Explosion Over Illinois

The bright flash was seen across 6 states on Friday night.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A backyard camera in Berwyn, Illinois captured video of a meteor exploding in the sky late Friday night. The American Meteor Society reported the event was spotted across 6 states, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin around 10:43 pm on February 6, 2026.

Why it matters

Meteor sightings are relatively rare, and having video footage of the moment of explosion provides a unique glimpse into these celestial events. The widespread visibility across multiple states also highlights how far the light and sound from a meteor can travel.

The details

The video, captured by a resident named Marco in Berwyn, Illinois, shows the bright flash and trail of the meteor as it burns up in the atmosphere. While there are no known meteor showers happening currently, isolated meteors like this one can impact the Earth's atmosphere without warning.

  • The meteor was spotted around 10:43 pm on Friday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Marco

A resident of Berwyn, Illinois who captured video of the meteor explosion on his backyard camera.

American Meteor Society

A non-profit organization that tracks and reports on meteor sightings across the United States.

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The takeaway

This rare footage of a meteor explosion over Illinois serves as a reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of our skies, and the value of having observant residents with cameras to document these fleeting celestial events.