Midwesterners Report Seeing Bright Fireball in Sky

Over 128 people across 5 states spotted the celestial phenomenon on Tuesday night.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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More than 128 people across Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Wisconsin reported seeing a bright fireball in the sky on Tuesday night around 10:31 PM CT. The American Meteor Society confirmed the object was a shooting star, or fireball, and not space debris based on its appearance and speed.

Why it matters

Sightings of bright meteors, known as fireballs, are relatively common but can be difficult for the average person to spot. The high number of reports was likely due to favorable viewing conditions and increased social media chatter encouraging people to check their cameras.

The details

The American Meteor Society received over 128 reports of the fireball sighting from people across the Midwest. Several witnesses shared videos captured by doorbell or security cameras. The nonprofit organization was able to rule out the object being space debris based on its appearance and speed as it moved across the sky.

  • The fireball was spotted around 10:31 PM CT on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

American Meteor Society

A nonprofit scientific organization that collects and analyzes reports of meteor sightings.

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The takeaway

While bright meteor sightings are relatively common, the high number of reports from the Midwest on Tuesday night highlights how favorable viewing conditions and social media can increase public awareness and reporting of these celestial events.