A stunning meteor made a brief appearance over Adelaide’s northern suburbs on Tuesday evening around 6pm, captivating those who were fortunate enough to see it. Witnesses described the meteor as a bright light moving rapidly across the sky, disappearing in mere seconds. Eyewitness accounts expressed astonishment, with one observer remarking on its speed and another exclaiming how the entire sky lit up.
Astronomer Paul Curnow offered insights into this celestial occurrence, noting that the chance to see such an event is rare and often unexpected. He explained that meteors, or ‘falling stars’, enter the Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds, causing the air in front of them to compress and heat the rock, creating the stunning visual display.
The meteor’s path was observed heading north-west, but its ultimate fate is unknown. Curnow speculated that the object likely burned up before reaching the ground. While sightings like this are not common, he highlighted that Earth experiences millions of meteors entering its atmosphere daily, varying widely in size and trajectory, which adds to the allure of these fleeting displays.
In summary, the recent meteor sighting in Adelaide provided a unique spectacle for onlookers, illustrating the beauty and unpredictability of these celestial events.