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Today in History: Meteor procession lights up British night sky

8/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 18 August 1783, an Earth-grazing meteor shattered above Great Britain, its fragments streaking the sky in a single procession. Physicist Donald Olson lists it as one of only four recorded meteor processions. The event sparked extensive debate in the Royal Society’s *Philosophical Transactions* and prompted a detailed analysis by Charles Blagden.

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Story summary

On 18 August 1783, an Earth-grazing meteor shattered above Great Britain, its fragments streaking the sky in a single procession. Physicist Donald Olson lists it as one of only four recorded meteor processions. The event sparked extensive debate in the Royal Society’s *Philosophical Transactions* and prompted a detailed analysis by Charles Blagden.