Home / Whanganui ChronicleSky 'explosion' likely a meteorAnna WallisWhanganui Chronicle·18 Aug, 2014 06:43 PMQuick ReadSubscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereListening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditA lightning-like flash in the sky and then a loud bang experienced in Wanganui yesterday morning was likely a bolide.Arthur Harris of St John's Hill said it was 6.20am when he saw the flash. "An orange light was in the sky, and then the bomb went off. It was like an explosion." A similar light was also seen in Christchurch and Dunedin according to reports on weatherwatch.co.nz.Mark Lee of the Wanganui Astronomical Society said the light was a bolide, the name for a large, brilliant meteor, especially one that explodes.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Mr Lee said they were more common than people thought and could be a meteor, or space junk that had become too hot. "It doesn't explode, it is just disintegrating."He said material only has to be the size of a refrigerator to be seen and heard.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditLatest from Whanganui ChronicleWhanganui ChronicleBeach carpark and camping site closed over erosion fears30 Jan 02:27 AMWhanganui ChronicleOut with the old: Council unveils new branding30 Jan 01:28 AMWhanganui ChronicleCrews dampen hot spots after new fire at Whanganui’s South Mole29 Jan 10:08 PMSponsoredDiscover Australia with AAT Kings’ easy-going guided holidays 15 Jan 12:33 AMAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
