Residents from parts of the UK were reminded of the beauty of the night sky when a streak of light flew through the atmosphere on Tuesday evening.
What Happened?
At around 9:48pm, on Tuesday the 11th of August 2020, many people from across the South West and Wales reported seeing a white streak of light in the night sky. It is believed to have been a meteor shooting across the atmosphere.
Videos Capture Sight
The moment was captured in several videos by members of the public, who were astonished at the sight. Many of these videos have been shared widely on social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.
Comments From Experts
Astronomy experts at the Royal Observatory Greenwich have commented on the sighting. A spokesman said: “The phenomenon observed by members of the public was likely a meteor.”
How Meteor Showers Work
Meteors are typically caused when bits of space rock enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speed and break up. If a shower of these occur at the same time, it can create a spectacular show in the night sky.
How To Spot A Meteor
If you want to try and spot a meteor here are some points to keep in mind:
- Be ready during certain seasonal astronomical events such as meteor showers.
- Try to get away from city lights to give yourself the best possible chance.
- Give your eyes time to adjust to the lack of light and scan the entire night sky for any bright streaks of light.
Recently, numerous reports from across the United Kingdom of a fireball shooting through its night sky have come in. Videos and photos of an unidentified object hovering across the sky were taken from a variety of sources and quickly shared on social media platforms.
Astronomers and scientists from the UK suggested the phenomenon was a possible meteor breaking up in the atmosphere. Their opinion can be further backed up by hundreds of witness accounts. Many in the UK reportedly saw a bright streak of light on the night of Wednesday 7th November. People even heard a loud boom while some experienced a moment of darkness before the flame burned its way across the night sky.
The reports have come from a variety of sources across the UK such as Scotland, England and Wales. Reports of the loud boom have mainly been heard in areas around London, South Wales and the Midlands.
Though the phenomenon remains unidentified and unconfirmed, the possibility of it being a meteor is higher than most due to the consistencies in witness accounts and the quick appearance and disappearance of the object in the night sky. The nearby American Meteor Society also reported similar sightings, furthering the speculation of it being a meteor.
Many suspect it had been a remnant from the recently observed Taurids Meteor Shower. The fireball was so bright and sensational, that it caused a social media flurry, with many people capturing its beauty on camera.
These reports further suggest the object was a meteor, and further research and investigation are needed to determine its origin and purpose. People are advised to remain vigilant and report any strange and unexpected sightings of the night sky.