A bright object lit up Mexico City’s night sky on Wednesday, sparking widespread excitement and concern. The spectacle was initially thought to be a meteorite, but scientists quickly clarified that it was actually a bolide, a type of fireball.
According to Dr. Mario RodrÃguez, a space scientist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, a bolide is an exceptionally bright meteor that can be seen over a wide area. The object in question was around 1.5 meters long and posed no threat to the public.
Unlike meteorites, which impact Earth, bolides disintegrate in the atmosphere due to pressure and heat from entering the planet’s atmosphere. This particular event was a rare occurrence, with experts stating that bolides are usually brighter than the moon in the night sky.
The incident sparked an online reaction, with memes and jokes circulating on social media about the “meteorite” explosion. However, once scientists confirmed it was not a meteorite, people took to sharing photos of the fireball edited with cartoon characters and humorously relating it to everyday life.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mexico-fireball-bolide-meteor-wednesday-why-b2734884.html