Franconia, Thiiringen, Germany Disk, melted metal — 16 January 1538
A large “star” was seen in the sky and came down, emitting balls of fire that melted metal
objects. Scholar Simon Goulart lists the case in his chronicles as follows: “It was seen in Franconia, between Bamberg and Thuringia Forest, a star of marvelous magnitude, which came lower gradually, and became a great white circle from which whirlwinds and clumps of fire emerged. When they fell onto the earth they melted the tips of spears, irons and horses’bits without hurting either men or buildings.”
Source: Simon Goulart, Tresors d’Histoires Admirables et Memorables de notre Temps (1600). Geneve: P. Marceau (1610), 53-54. Jobus Fincelius, Wunderzeiche, Warhafftige Beschreybung und grundlich verzeichnuss schrocklicher Wunderzeichen und Geschichten (Jhena: Rodinger, 1556); Lycosthenes, op. cit., 563. Case: W129