Witnesses report seeing a bright fireball streaking across the sky.
Pictures were captured by a telescope at the University of California's Lick Observatory - just east of San Jose.
Astronomers say the fireballs are part of the Orionid Meteor Shower which will peak from sundown Saturday through sunrise Sunday.
Orionid meteors are the fastest of all meteor showers and strike the atmosphere at 148,000 mph, and many leave persistent trails.
Residents reported seeing the bright lights and hearing a loud boom throughout northern California.
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