Merced County, CA (September 27, 2025) — On the evening of September 25, 2025, a bright flash lit up the skies over Northern California, drawing hundreds of reports from residents who witnessed the unusual sight. The event occurred around 7:45 p.m. and was described as a white-orange streak that lasted nearly 20 seconds before breaking into fragments. According to the American Meteor Society, more than 200 reports were filed, covering sightings from the Bay Area through the Sacramento region, including Roseville, Vacaville, Citrus Heights, Stockton, and Auburn. Astronomers and space analysts believe the phenomenon was caused by the reentry of Starlink-1586, a SpaceX satellite launched in 2020, rather than a natural meteor. Major outlets including the Sacramento Bee, SFGate, and KTVU confirmed widespread visibility across Northern California.
Residents described the light as “fireball-like,” breaking apart into fragments as it traveled eastward across the horizon. The Lick Observatory confirmed that one of its staff members witnessed the event from Mount Hamilton.
No debris is believed to have reached the ground.
