Fireball lights up North Island skies

A bright fireball streaked across the North Island sky on Wednesday night, likely dropping meteorites into the ocean off the Taranaki coast. The event was recorded at approximately 10:57pm by the Fireballs Aotearoa camera network. The object was seen by many people across the North Island and the top of the South Island.

Footage of the meteor was captured in the Kaponga area of South Taranaki, showing the object travelling over Taranaki Maunga. Andy Banks, who captured the footage, noted that the mountain provided a stunning backdrop. Fireballs Aotearoa stated the fireball fell over the ocean west of Marokopa.

Dr Kaitlyn Martin from Te Whatu Stardome Observatory and Planetarium suggested the rock was likely between the size of a softball and a rugby ball before entering the atmosphere. While the fireball appeared to go out, fragments may have entered a dark flight phase where they continue to fall without producing light. It is currently unclear if the meteor was a lone traveller or part of a known shower.

Witnesses in Auckland reported seeing the object burning in flames and turning the sky green. In Taranaki, Ross Wicks recorded the event after his camera happened to be facing the correct direction.

How it developed

• Thu 24 Sep, 2:19pmDr Kaitlyn Martin provided scientific context regarding the potential size of the rock and the possibility of fragments entering dark flight.

Where reports differ

• Fireballs Aotearoa reported the fireball fell over the ocean west of Marokopa, while Ross Wicks suggested the trajectory was between Raglan and Kāwhia, heading over Pirongia.

Compiled from reports by Stuff, 1News and The Post.