Melbourne’s night sky was transformed into a scene from a sci-fi blockbuster on Wednesday as a dazzling fireball meteor streaked across the heavens, leaving thousands of residents in awe and sparking a deluge of reports.
Witnesses from across the city and the wider state of Victoria described seeing an intensely bright light, some reporting a brilliant blue or green hue, followed by a series of loud rumbles that shook windows and startled households. The spectacular event, which occurred just after 8:00 PM local time, instantly became a viral sensation.
Social Media Erupts With Eyewitness Accounts
The immediate aftermath of the celestial light show was chaos on social media platforms. Hundreds of users flooded X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and community forums with videos, photos, and firsthand accounts.
"It was insane! This huge green flash lit up the entire sky, then about a minute later there was this massive double boom that made my house shake," reported one eyewitness from the city's north. The sheer volume of reports to emergency services and online platforms confirmed this was no ordinary shooting star, but a significant atmospheric entry.
Expert Analysis: A Rare & Significant Event
Dr. Rachel Kirby, an experienced astronomer, was quick to analyse the event. She confirmed that the descriptions and the accompanying sonic boom were the classic hallmarks of a meteoroid—a small piece of an asteroid or comet—entering Earth's atmosphere.
"This was a proper fireball," Dr. Kirby stated. "The fact that it was visible over such a wide area and that it produced a sonic boom tells us this was a reasonably sized object. It was likely the size of a small car or a large washing machine before it began to break apart under the immense pressure and heat."
She explained that the vibrant colours often associated with meteors are caused by the ionization of gases in the atmosphere and the vaporization of minerals within the space rock itself.
The Sonic Boom: A Signature Sign
The loud explosions heard by residents were a key indicator of the meteor's size and speed. Dr. Kirby elaborated on this phenomenon: "The sonic boom occurs because the object is travelling through the atmosphere faster than the speed of sound. It creates a shockwave that we eventually hear on the ground as a loud bang, often several minutes after the visual fireball has disappeared."
This delay between the visual spectacle and the audible boom is a reliable way to distinguish a large meteor from other phenomena like fireworks or lightning.
Could There Be Meteorites?
A key question on many minds is whether any fragments of the meteor survived the fiery descent to reach the ground as meteorites. Dr. Kirby suggests it is a strong possibility.
"Given the reports of the sonic boom, it's likely that fragments could have made it to the ground," she said. She also provided crucial advice for any potential treasure hunters, warning them not to touch any suspected space rock with their bare hands. "The oils on your skin can degrade the surface. If you think you've found a fragment, use clean aluminium foil or a zip-lock bag to pick it up and contact a museum or university."
While the exact trajectory and potential fall site are still being calculated, it is believed any debris would have landed in rural areas to the north of Melbourne.
The event serves as a stunning reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the fact that Earth is constantly being bombarded by cosmic material, most of which burns up harmlessly in the atmosphere, providing a free light show for those lucky enough to be looking up.
