An enormous fireball was seen crossing Ireland on Friday night, traveling at about 10:55 p.m. Sightings were reported in Dublin, Donegal, Cork, Sligo, Carlow, Longford, Antrim, across Britain and even The Netherlands. Astronomy Ireland said it was "one of the best ever seen" in Europe and that it was a "huge event."
David Moore of Astronomy Ireland told the Irish Times that it was "very unusual to see it in multiple countries."
"I’ve never seen one fragmented like that and streaked across the sky," he said.
Moore said he did not yet know what caused the fireball, which later exploded into fragments.
“It is a piece of space debris, but whether it is man-made or natural is not known,” he said.
“It is probably a space rock that has skidded across the atmosphere.”
Meteorites will have fallen “but whether they landed in Ireland or at sea we will have to figure out”, he said.
Witnesses to the spectacular sight described a trail of seven to 12 fireballs traveling in a straight line across the sky. No sound was heard.
Moore is asking witnesses to submit a fireball report to the Astronomy Ireland website.
"This will help us triangulate the path," he said.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.warlocks | Oct 01, 2012, 02:03 AM EDT
Hey maybe its those little green Men from Mars getting even with us. for sending space Junk to their Panet ?? lol
IrelandNorth | Sep 24, 2012, 05:36 AM EDT
It was on the night of the Autumnal Equinox. Was it a trial run for the Mayan Winter Solstice apocalyptic precistio of 20/12/2012. Just like those ancients predicted. If so, bend down and kiss your asses goodbye, guys! The end of the world is nigh. Aaaargh! Oooooo! Yikes!
borefield | Sep 23, 2012, 08:17 PM EDT
Tayandcake, me thinks you might be right, silly me.
TayandCake | Sep 23, 2012, 07:57 PM EDT
borefield no pub in Ireland would ever close that early, even if that big shiny light in the sky was an invading alien warcraft, people would still pop in the local for a quick one.
borefield | Sep 23, 2012, 05:59 PM EDT
Note the time of the sighting! Pubs just closing or getting ready to. That Guinness is funny stuff.
Canal Rat | Sep 23, 2012, 02:14 PM EDT
Clearly, this was the work of George Bush and Dick Cheney. Probably related to the Haliburton Hurricane Machine.
Searlit | Sep 23, 2012, 12:18 PM EDT
Ha, ha, good one handsome.
handsome68 | Sep 23, 2012, 11:18 AM EDT
" Meteorites will have been fallen “but whether they landed in Ireland or at sea we will have to figure out”, he said. " Are there no proofreaders? I am shocked, shocked to see a misteak.
Searlit | Sep 23, 2012, 10:50 AM EDT
Amazing!The spectacular skies!