Don’t worry, the sky isn’t actually falling…though don’t tell Chicken Little that.
Eagle-eyed stargazers may have noticed a flash of green light shooting across the sky last night.
Though easily confused with a firework, especially given the time of year, Astronomy Ireland has confirmed that it was most likely a “meteor or fireball”.
It wasn’t a firework folks, despite the week that’s in it! ? ? They don’t make them that big yet. Sounds like a meteor or a fireball. Thanks for the reports and keep them coming.
— Astronomy Ireland (@AstronomyIRL) October 28, 2019
Sightings of the green light were reported all around Ireland in Clare, Cork, Athlone, Fermanagh and Mayo. There were even reports of the sightings abroad too, with people in Wales describing the same thing.
Eyewitness footage of the phenomenon has been cropping up on social media, showing what resembles a glowing ball of green fire lighting.
@CorkSafetyAlert @rtenews @Corks96FM Just caught this on my dashcam outside Banteer, Cork. Bright meteor/fireball flashing across the sky. Footage doesn't do it justice, very cool. #greatballsoffire pic.twitter.com/87ey9nvuhH
— Sean linehan (@LinehanSean) October 28, 2019
Astronomy Ireland has received multiple reports on the matter and it’s believed that there could even have been two separate fireballs, the brightest of which was seen streaking across the sky just before 7pm last night.
Fireballs are caused by pieces of rock burning in the earth’s atmosphere as it collides with our planet and can burn brighter than the light from a full moon.
— Stephen Cheatley BFC (@Stephencheatley) October 28, 2019
Very cool, keep your eyes peeled for more sightings.