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A blazing meteor streaked across the sky over Sydney, captivating observers from hundreds of kilometers away.
The dazzling event occurred around 6:30 PM, catching the eyes of many in Sydney, Canberra, and various parts of regional New South Wales.
Astrophysicist Dr. Brad Tucker confirmed that the phenomenon was indeed a meteor.
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“The meteor was visible from Canberra and extended into central NSW,” Dr. Tucker explained to nine.com.au.
“The greenish colour indicates it was a meteor, usually with iron and nickel.
“The bright flash midway means it is likely fragmented or broke apart.
“It could 30 to 50 centimetres in size based on the brightness.”
Tucker, an associate professor at Australian National University, said the way a meteor was confirmed was by judging its colour and speed.
“Colours of objects indicate what it is made up of. Space junk is usually more yellow,” he said.
“Meteors are travelling much faster than say satellites or space junk as well and so they cover a larger distance and are in the sky for a shorter time.”
Tucker said it wasn’t unheard of for a meteor to be seen, with “larger meteors like this maybe every month or so across Australia”. The fortunate thing about tonight’s was that it “happened at a good time”.
“Early in the evening, so lots of people were still awake and out and about,” he said.
“They can happen in the middle of the night.”
One person told nine.com.au they were caught off guard by the brightness of the flash that they saw from Waterloo.
“l saw a flash of light in the sky and was so confused, I first thought it was a flare that had been lit,” she said.
“Then I noticed this glowing ball of orange falling from the sky. I’d never seen anything like it.
“The whole sky was lit up for all of 10 seconds.”