The huge fireball spotted in the sky over Scotland was 'a small part of an asteroid', experts have confirmed.
We told how residents from across the country were left stunned as the shooting object appeared shortly after 9pm on Wednesday, September 14. Sightings throughout the country took place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, as well as Ireland.
The UK Meteor Network have now confirmed that they are '100% confident' it was a small part of an asteroid, which becomes classified as a meteor when it burns up upon entering Earth's atmosphere. The scientists say the end of the meteor's journey was not observed on their cameras, but it definitely ended over the North Atlantic Ocean around 50-100km west of the Isle of Islay.
The UK Meteor Network said: "The final analysis is in! The fireball over NI and Scotland last night was definitely a meteor. The fireball observed yesterday (Sept 14, 20:59:40 UT) above the UK lasted over 20 seconds and traveled NW, passing directly over Belfast.
"The end was not observed on our cameras, but it definitely ended over the North Atlantic Ocean some 50-100 km west of the Isle of Islay.
"It came on an asteroidal orbit and entered the atmosphere at 14.2 km/s. The observed portion of the trajectory covered over 300 km. If any meteorites did fall, they ended up in the ocean.
"We have a great deal of more data thanks to Denis Vida and we are now 100% confident this was a small part of an asteroid."
Shocked Scots took to social media after the fireball flew over their heads.
Megan Barrie could not believe her eyes when she spotted it flying over the Isle of Arran. The 16-year-old told how it 'hit the atmosphere' before changing colour.
She told the Record: "We saw it first hit the atmosphere and we weren't sure what it was, we thought it might have been a plane. When we realised it was a meteor, we were mesmerised and could not believe it.
"I'm always watching stars so I loved it, but my friend was freaking out a wee bit. It went from white, to green and blue.
"It was moving reasonably fast. I'm so glad I got to see it."
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