Very bright daylight fireball explodes over Mauritius and Reunion

A very bright fireball streaked across the sunset sky over Mauritius and Reunion islands around 14:30 UTC (18:30 local time) on Thursday, September 14, 2017. The event reportedly lasted up to 20 seconds before it exploded and left a smoke trail.

The object was significantly slower, and of a much longer duration than a falling star, one eyewitness said. "It reminded me of the destruction of the space shuttle on its reentry, or the fireball that exploded over Russia a few years back. I very much expected to see or hear an explosion. It lasted long enough for me to decide to grab my camera, but flamed out (large, bright flameout) before I could capture it. I'm guessing we watched it for 20 seconds. Very impressive."

Another eyewitness said that the object was green and then exploded into a bright purple/red flash. He saw it between 3 and 4 seconds.

Local media say some observers claim a significant noise was associated with the event.

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Featured image: Very bright fireball over Mauritius and Reunion on September 14, 2017. Credit: TelePlus