Updated: Mysterious lights, boom baffle residents

TIPTON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - Police are still not sure what caused a bright light in the sky followed by a loud explosion near the Tipton-Howard County line. Several residents called police and news outlets saying that they had seen the lights and/or had experienced what felt like a large explosion as far away as Kokomo. Police think that it may have resulted from military flares or even an astronomical event.

Meteorites blamed for Kokomo rumble

A chunky visitor from beyond our planet left a sparkly impression over the skies of north-central Indiana.

Authorities believe a meteor struck the atmosphere roughly 10:25 p.m. Wednesday, causing a window-rattling boom on the ground below and flashes of light as it broke apart and eventually vaporized.

"It certainly sounds like a meteor," said Adam Rengstorf, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond. "It certainly sounds like a decent-sized chunk of rock that hit."

Most meteors are the size of a pebble or a grain of sand. This one could range from a baseball in scope to that of a small car, he said.