Bright flash spotted at about 5:30 a.m. as far west as Tillamook, as far east as Idaho



A bright white streak in the sky early Tuesday was seen all across the Portland area, triggering dozens of calls to local 9-1-1 dispatchers.

It was most likely a meteorite.

The white flash was seen in the eastern sky, streaking from north to south around 5:30 a.m.

Dick Pugh, scientist with Cascadia Meteorite Lab at Portland State University, tells KPAM 860 radio it was probably "a fireball containing pieces of rock material coming into the atmosphere from space exploding at the end."

Pugh says meteorites, which travel 50,000 miles an hour, usually light up the sky around 90 miles above earth.

At Portland International Airport, air traffic controllers reported seeing a flash reflected in their windows.

Puge says if someone heard a sonic boom, it would indicate some meteorite pieces actually landed. So far, there have been no reports of falling pieces.

Anyone who saw or heard the meteorite should call Pugh, 503-287-6733.