'Ball of fire' spotted over Wellington

The 'ball of fire' going down over Mana Island. Photo / Supplied by Craig Powell

A "ball of fire" has been seen in the sky over Wellington.

The MetService said in a tweet it looked like an aircraft contrail lit up by the setting sun.

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Wellington residents have taken to Twitter with excitement.

Several took photos and uploaded them to social media, some speculating it was a meteorite.

The 'ball of fire' as seen from Lower Hutt. Photo / Supplied by Tristam Price

Chang Hung said: "apparently a meteorite or asteroid flew pass the skies of Wellington this evening - anyone see it?

A MetService duty forecaster, Karl Loots, said colleagues had checked flight times and found a scheduled service between Australia and South America that coincided with the timing of the spectacular sight.

They concluded it must be the vapour trail of a high-altitude jet lit up by the setting sun.

Did anyone else see a giant meteor? Ball of fire? slowly falling over the western horizon in Wellington for the last 10 minutes?

— Gwyn (@gwynebs) June 11, 2015