Residents in Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia reported brilliant, streaking lights followed by a thunderous sound about 9:45 p.m. Sunday.
National Weather Service officials say they have no explanation for the sky lighting up in shades of yellow, white, orange and blue.
The unusual sky prompted hundreds of calls, with some saying they saw "great balls of fire."
The weather service says no damage has been reported.
Local events | Contests | Headlines at a glance
