fireball

A fireball is a bright meteor that becomes incandescent as it enters Earth's atmosphere and streaks across the sky. The term is commonly applied to the most luminous meteors, which may appear as a continuous, intense glow and sometimes a long, colored train. When a fireball is exceptionally large, it can be described as a bolide; if it explodes in the air, the event is called an airburst.

Most fireballs burn up before reaching the ground, but a subset survive as meteorites or deposit fragments after a ground impact. The light from the fireball and, when audible, the sonic boom may be observed over large areas.

In astronomy, networks of cameras and video recordings track bright fireballs to determine their orbits and potential meteorite falls.

In fiction and popular culture, a fireball commonly refers to a magical or energy-based attack that consists of a sphere of flame launched at a target, often exploding on impact and dealing fire damage.

The term is also used commercially for Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, a cinnamon-flavored liqueur marketed widely.