Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Starlink Fireball Stuns Midwest Amid Space Debris Surge

1/31/2025

43 8

Summary

Story summary

A dazzling fireball lit up the Midwest skies on January 28, 2025, as a Starlink satellite reentered the atmosphere, captivating onlookers in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Many initially mistook the vibrant streaks for meteors, underscoring the alarming rise of space debris reentries, with approximately two tonnes falling to Earth each day.

1 of 1

Story summary

A dazzling fireball lit up the Midwest skies on January 28, 2025, as a Starlink satellite reentered the atmosphere, captivating onlookers in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Many initially mistook the vibrant streaks for meteors, underscoring the alarming rise of space debris reentries, with approximately two tonnes falling to Earth each day.