There have been sightings of the #fireball right across the UK. A meteor that was glowing green (even blue/red from some reports) #ukmeteor
Laura Tobin
@Lauratobin1
There have been sightings of the #fireball right across the UK. A meteor that was glowing green (even blue/red from some reports) #ukmeteor
More reports coming in that the meteor was travelling in a North Westerly direction at roughly 21:47 and dissapeared from view for many
Virtual Astronomer
@VirtualAstro
More reports coming in that the meteor was travelling in a North Westerly direction at roughly 21:47 and dissapeared from view for many
This video purports to show the object pass by, faintly, in the top left corner.
View this video on YouTube
Looks like I wasn't the only one to see the #meteor over the UK tonight. Flashed over North Yorks just before 10.
Chris Myers
@ChrisMyersUK
Looks like I wasn't the only one to see the #meteor over the UK tonight. Flashed over North Yorks just before 10.
I saw a big old fireball in the sky in Eckington about 9:45pm tonight. Spectacular albeit brief experience #Fireball
Alistair Binney
@Alistair_Binney
I saw a big old fireball in the sky in Eckington about 9:45pm tonight. Spectacular albeit brief experience #Fireball
Saw #ukmeteor at 21:50 ish near Clitheroe lancs, big white/green fireball. Lasted about 3s. Fast moving. Very bright.
M
@manicguitarist
Saw #ukmeteor at 21:50 ish near Clitheroe lancs, big white/green fireball. Lasted about 3s. Fast moving. Very bright.
#UKmeteor flash of white and blue/green as it shot over the sky in Mid Wales. A stunning sight like nothing I've seen before.
Nathan Rowden
@nath_rowden
#UKmeteor flash of white and blue/green as it shot over the sky in Mid Wales. A stunning sight like nothing I've seen before.
This photo was taken in Cardiff.
The object was also spotted in the skies above Ireland.
@VirtualAstro I saw it here in Dublin. In eastern sky heading south or south east. Big green flash, lasted several seconds.
Adrian Weckler
@adrianweckler
@VirtualAstro I saw it here in Dublin. In eastern sky heading south or south east. Big green flash, lasted several seconds.
This supposed photo of the meteor, which is being widely shared on Twitter, has been revealed to be fake.
The object is most likely to be related to the Eta Aquariids meteor shower, which peaks every year around this time, and is caused by earth passing through the trail of debris left by Halley's Comet.
Further eyewitness reports via Lunar Meteorite Hunters:
08MAY2012 Hannah Holtom Newcastle Emlyn, Ceredigion, Wales, UK 21.50 GMT 4-5 sec start East; stop West. I was facing South large, white with blue tinge brighter than Venus in a clear sky (sky tonight not very clear) no larger than I've seen before
08MAY2012 Mrs Lynne Jones Droitwich, Worcestershire. UK. 22.00 GMT 5-10 seconds E - W White Moon no just a tail N/A
08MAY2012 Robert Hawkins Evesham, Worcestershire, UK 21:42pm 8 sec facing south, travel west white ball with a long tail moon small parts happened very fast
08MAY2012 James England West Bromwich 2200 Lasted about 1.5 to 2 seconds Facing south west it travelled from south east to south west Bright green with medium green white tail Brighter than the moon green blob travelling across sky with white green tail Did not see any fragmentation went below tree line Second time I've seen the same thing in 2 months this is the first time I've reported it
08MAY2012 Antony Ingham Manchester, England 21:51:00 1 Left to Right facing South Blue and white Brighter than venue no parts falling off but big tail Very bright tail
08MAY2012 Michael Thompson Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England 21.53 2-3 seconds United Kingdom Bright Green As bright as a street light or sun no It looked much closer and traveled faster than i have witnessed before with a short trail
08MAY2012 Andrew King Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, UK 21:50 BST Observed for about 3 secs before it disappeared behind building E-W White/Green Looked similar to a firework, but was travelling horizontally. Made no noise. None. Not sure whether this was a meteor, having not seen one before.
08MAY2012 Nick Lowerbagthorpe, Nottinghamshire, UK 21:45:00 2 sec Facing SW Traveling S-N Blue white colour no sound brighter than moon no could draw it on a picture of that area of sky
08MAY2012 allen higham on the hill nuneaton England 21:59:00 7 sec Facing south, east to west green glowing orb moving at high rate of speed, silent. magnesium like burn no was very low in the sky.
08MAY2013 Gemma Whiteman Worcester 21:46:00 4 sec SE - NW. I was facing SW saw a flash in the sky, like a fireball and then it disappeared brightness like the sun Not that I saw none
8MAY2013 Julian Buckingham Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Uk 21:50:00 5 secs North to south Bright blue green Nearly as bright as moon. More than any star None visible No sound from inside.