On the evening of 21 May 2026, a spectacular meteor, known as a bolide, exploded in the sky above New South Wales, producing a vivid display visible from Sydney to Canberra.Eyewitnesses reported colourful streaks ranging from blue to green to orange.

Unlike space debris, which enters Earth's atmosphere at slower speeds and shallow angles, this meteor was moving at over 30 kilometres per second, indicating it was likely a fragment of a comet or asteroid from the outer Solar System.Its high velocity and the terminal explosion suggest it was a fragile, icy or rocky object, rather than a solid iron mass.

The vibrant colours observed are primarily due to the superheated air created as the fireball passed through the atmosphere, rather than its chemical composition.

While it is unlikely that any fragments survived the plunge into the ocean, astronomers are gathering footage to triangulate the fireball's path, speed, and orbit prior to entering Earth's atmosphere.

Analysing these details helps scientists better understand the history and composition of the Solar System and provides valuable insights into celestial objects entering Earth's atmosphere.