NASA Confirms Meteor Sightings in East Texas

Experts explain the rare celestial event that surprised onlookers.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 4:35am

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A meteorite streaked across the sky in East Texas on Saturday afternoon, with multiple callers reporting seeing a 'blue fireball' over parts of Cherokee and Smith counties. NASA has released a preliminary report confirming the sighting was a meteor that became visible 49 miles above Stagecoach, northwest of Houston, and broke apart 29 miles above Bammel, just west of Cypress Station.

Why it matters

Meteor sightings, while not uncommon, are still relatively rare events that capture the public's attention and fascination with the mysteries of space. This incident provides an opportunity to educate the public about the science behind meteors and the role NASA plays in monitoring and studying such celestial phenomena.

The details

According to the NASA report, the meteor was moving southeast at a speed of 35,000 mph when it became visible. Nikki Simmons with Smith County ESD #2 said dispatchers received multiple reports of the blue fireball from across the region.

  • The meteor was sighted on Saturday afternoon.
  • NASA released its preliminary report on the incident on March 22, 2026.

The players

Nikki Simmons

A representative from Smith County ESD #2 who received multiple reports of the meteor sighting.

NASA

The U.S. space agency that released a preliminary report confirming the meteor sighting and providing details on its trajectory and breakup.

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What’s next

NASA is expected to release a more detailed report on the meteor sighting in the coming days, providing further insights into the celestial event.

The takeaway

This meteor sighting serves as a reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of our universe, and the important role that organizations like NASA play in monitoring and studying such phenomena to better understand the cosmos.