Large meteor streaks across Canada sky

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (AP) - November 23, 2008 One scientist calls it one of the largest meteors visible in the country in the last decade. Alan Hildebrand says he received 300 e-mail reports from witnesses, some of whom reported hearing hissing or crackling noises like frying bacon. And he says it was seen hundreds of miles away in the northern U.S.

Widely broadcast video images show what appears to be a speeding fireball over Saskatoon that become larger and brighter before disappearing as it nears the ground.

Hildebrand estimates the meteor had the energy of 100 tons of TNT as it streaked into the earth's atmosphere. He says it would have been like a billion-watt light blub.