Would a huge green meteor be a rare event?

Question

Somewhere about 20 years ago, I was driving home from work in Bethesda, Md.  While I was sitting at a light, I looked out my driver's side window to see a huge ball of green fire heading north almost parallel to Rockville Pike.  

The ball appeared to be the size of several 747's, and appeared to be about 10,000 feet up or so.  It took about 10 or 15 seconds before it was out of view.

I checked the news that day but there was nothing on it.  I would have thought at least a few people would have seen it, but nothing that I had seen on the news reported it.

It wasnt dark outside, but not mid-day either.  I remember there being clouds and this was below the clouds.

I was just reading about this green comet and it made me think of that day.
So is this an extremely rare event, or does this happen all the time?

B. · Accepted Answer

These are called fireballs and they are not unusual.  Not an every day event, but not unusual.  
They are larger meteors and some end up hitting the earth and become meteorites.  There was a really nice one that hit Canada a month or so ago.
http://www.imo.net/calendar/2009
This is a calendar from the International Meteor Organization for all meteor showers for 2009.  Statistically, you will have the best chance of seeing fireballs during meteor showers and their home page has great tips for getting the most out of your meteor shower viewing experiences.  Enjoy!

Edit:  Meteorites are sold by the pound and can easily be found on Ebay.  Finding one meteorite will not make you rich as that other person mentioned.  Yes, real meteorites are cool, but they will not make you rich.

Anonymous · Answer

I saw a fireball streak under the clouds heading toward Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and i read nothing about it on any news. I am not an astronomer but i must have something in my genes similar because i have visions of things before they appear and i saw the green comet during sleep it has a dark center or maybe the center was not dark at all but my minds way of protecting this unusual ability to see things before many others do.

Anonymous · Answer

if you found that meteorite  you would never have to work agen in you life when dose iron turn green but what i am getting at is museums buy meteorite for $1000per pound if iron and like $500per pound if rock

Anonymous · Answer

It was a UFO

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Would a huge green meteor be a rare event?

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