Blazing Fireball Lights Up China’s Night Sky: A Celestial Spectacle
A spectacular fireball meteor illuminated the night sky over southern China on May 28, 2025, turning night into day for a brief moment. The event was widely witnessed in Maoming, Guangdong Province, and even parts of Hainan. But what exactly *was* this brilliant flash?
Around 13:00 UTC (21:30 local time), residents were treated to a dazzling display as a very bright meteor streaked across the heavens. According to reports, the meteor had a glowing trail, starting with warm orange-yellow tones and fading into blue-green as it zipped across the sky.
Jim (@yangyubin1998) captured the event on video, sharing the stunning footage on Twitter:
A fireball streaked across the sky in western Guangdong! pic.twitter.com/9qee4b1irv
Adding to the drama, many local residents reported hearing a loud boom following the fireball. Authorities speculate that the object either burned up entirely or landed in the South China Sea. Gou Lijun, an astronomer from the National Astronomical Observatories under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, confirmed that the phenomenon illuminating Maoming's night sky was indeed a fireball meteor.
A fireball meteor, also known as a bolide, occurs when a large meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere and rapidly heats up due to friction. This creates an intense burst of light and, in some cases, a loud sonic boom. Thankfully, despite the dramatic visuals and sound, no damage or injuries were reported.
RenderNature (@RenderNature) provided further confirmation of the event.
On the evening of May 28, 2025, there was a loud bang in the sky, and a super bright fire meteor suddenly descended over the urban area of Maoming!. pic.twitter.com/jaCsZtvocI
This event serves as a stunning reminder of the cosmic activity happening around us. While most meteors burn up harmlessly high in the atmosphere, the occasional bolide provides a breathtaking spectacle, reminding us of the vastness and wonder of the universe. Did you witness this incredible event? Share your thoughts and observations in the comments below!
