Bright fireball lights up skies over New South Wales, Australia
A bright fireball was observed over New South Wales, Australia, at 08:35 UTC on May 21, 2026, with reports from Sydney, Canberra, and several inland NSW locations.
A bright fireball was observed over eastern Australia at 08:35 UTC (18:35 AEST) on May 21, 2026, with witness reports from New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The International Meteor Organization (IMO) received 7 reports, all from New South Wales.
The IMO witness database includes observations from Marulan, Bondi Beach, Chatswood, Jugiong, Spring Farm, Woy Woy, and Upper Bingara, with reported visible durations ranging from less than 1 second to about 3.5 seconds. Witness brightness estimates ranged from about -12 to -17 magnitude.
Australian media reported additional sightings from the Sydney metropolitan area, Canberra, Mudgee, Bathurst, Junee, and parts of southeast Queensland.
ANU astrophysicist Dr. Brad Tucker said its brightness was consistent with an object about 30-50 cm (12-20 inches) in size. The greenish color was consistent with metals such as iron and nickel, while the bright flash during atmospheric entry was consistent with fragmentation, Tucker said.
NSW Police said no injuries or property damage had been reported after the event.
References:
1 Fireball event 3665-2026 – IMO – May 21, 2025
Featured image credit: 10News (stillshot from the video)
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