Zamora, Spain: Two large flying globes — 12 June 1788
A letter from an Irish clergyman at the University of Zamora mentions that between 4 and
5 A.M., “a most alarming and singular phenomenon appeared in the southeast quarter ofl the Heavens. Two large globes of fire, seemingly about the bulk of a Bristol barrel, were seen to move horizontally for a few minutes at the height of seven or eight degrees from the surface of the earth. They approached and dashed violently against each other, till some kind of centrifugal force separated them, after which they steered different courses; one moving East South East and the other West by North. As many persons were then up in the town, numbers repaired to an adjacent hill for the advantage of prospect.” The ‘meteors’ proceeded slowly in their course for about twenty minutes. The one on the southeast quarter burst with a crack that might be heard at ten miles distant. The other continued gradually descending till it was lost to sight.
Source: London Times, Thursday, July 10, 1788. Case: W317