Bright flash lights up Punjab night sky, sparks meteor speculation
- A bright flash illuminated the night sky over several parts of Punjab on July 17.
- Viral videos show a fireball-like object streaking across the sky, leading to meteor speculation.
- Residents in Amritsar and other areas reported seeing the phenomenon; officials have not confirmed the cause.
Flash in the night
Residents across Punjab were left startled on the evening of July 17 when a brilliant flash suddenly lit up the night sky. The phenomenon, captured on multiple mobile phones, showed a bright object streaking across the horizon before fading away.
Viral videos from Amritsar and surrounding areas show a fireball-like trail moving rapidly. Many took to social media, describing it as a meteor or a meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere.
Officials have not yet confirmed the nature of the object. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not issued a statement as of Friday night.
What residents saw
Eyewitnesses in Amritsar reported seeing a sudden bright light that illuminated the sky for a few seconds. Some said it appeared to break apart before disappearing.
“I was on my rooftop when I saw this intense flash. It was like a fireball falling from the sky,” a local resident told reporters. Similar reports emerged from rural pockets of Punjab, with many describing a greenish-white glow.
The Tribune reported that the event left residents awestruck, with several videos going viral on WhatsApp and Twitter. AIMA Media also covered the rare event, noting that such sightings are uncommon in the region.
Meteor or something else?
Astronomers and space enthusiasts quickly speculated that the flash could be a meteoroid burning up in the atmosphere. Meteoroids, which are small rocky bodies, often create bright streaks known as fireballs when they enter Earth's atmosphere at high speed.
No reports of damage or debris have emerged so far. Experts say that most meteoroids disintegrate before reaching the ground. However, without official confirmation, the exact nature of the object remains unclear.
This is not the first such event in India. In recent years, similar flashes have been reported over Rajasthan and Gujarat, often linked to small asteroids or space debris.
What happens next
Scientists may analyse videos and satellite data to determine the object's origin and trajectory. ISRO or local observatories could provide clarity in the coming days.
For now, residents are left with a fleeting memory of a rare celestial display. The event has sparked curiosity about near-Earth objects and the need for better monitoring systems.