Video Captures Huge Meteor Blast Lighting Up Illinois Sky

If you were looking at just the right part of the sky over Illinois at just the right time this week, you were treated to a spectacular meteor that soared overhead. Fortunately, someone captured the moment on video as it happened.

This incredible sky event was just shared by the American Meteor Society where they currently have 46 official reports of this meteor that zoomed over Illinois and was seen in at least 8 different states. Nick Schrader shared his video of this meteor that was seen the night of May 3, 2026 around 9:30pm central time. It was also seen in Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin.

Was this meteor a part of a meteor shower or an isolated event?

The American Meteor Society site says the Aquariids are the current meteor shower happening right now. These meteors are expected to remain active until May 28. This shower is capable of producing anywhere from 10 to 30 meteors per hour at its peak which happens to be tonight and tomorrow night, May 6, 2026. That's why it would be a good idea to look up if you're outside during the nighttime hours in Illinois. It's entirely possible you'll get treated to a spectacular sky rock burning up in the atmosphere over your head like just happened.