On Thursday night (May 21), a meteor streaked across the skies of New South Wales, Australia, treating onlookers from Sydney to Canberra to a spectacular light show. The event unfolded around 6:50 p.m. and was captured by numerous dashcams and security cameras. Witnesses described vibrant streaks of blue and orange lighting up the evening sky. Although the meteor—technically a bolide— was likely no larger than a basketball, it tore through the atmosphere at high speed, producing a brilliant flash that startled many observers.
Astrophysicist Dr. Brad Tucker explained that the meteor’s blue and green colors were likely caused by metals such as iron and nickel. As the meteor sped into Earth's atmosphere, it fragmented, creating the dazzling display. Dr. Tucker estimated the meteor measured between 30 and 50 centimeters, making it virtually impossible to detect before it burned up.
The meteor’s unexpected appearance quickly sparked excitement and speculation on social media, with some people initially mistaking it for a plane crash or a missile. Experts soon confirmed it was a natural phenomenon. Dr. Tucker added that meteors of this size are especially hard to detect beforehand, as they are too small and fast for existing detection systems.