Out of this world

Unusually bright meteor seen over Israel, as some report hearing blast

Israeli Astronomical Association says bolide visible over country’s center and north for several seconds; unclear if any pieces survived fiery descent

By ToI Staff 15 April 2023, 6:59 pm 2 Edit

A bright meteor is seen over Israel's skies, April 15, 2023. (Courtesy of Ofer Gabzo via the Israeli Astronomical Association; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Israeli experts said an unusually bright meteor was visible over the country on Saturday afternoon, with some observers reporting to have heard a large explosion afterward.

The Israeli Astronomical Association (IAA) said it had received reports of the bolide being visible for several seconds over central and northern Israel at around 5:16 p.m., traveling northeast.

Several residents of central Israel reported hearing a loud blast shortly after.

“Such an explosion may be heard in the event that the bolide is caused by a relatively large stone and depending on its composition,” the IAA said.

An image shared by the IAA showed a fiery streak in the sky. A visible bolide over Israel is a relatively rare occurrence.

It was unclear if pieces of the meteor survived its descent through the atmosphere. A meteor piece that survives passage to the ground is known as a meteorite.

תיעוד של המטאור שנצפה בשמי ישראל ונקרא "בוליד" pic.twitter.com/7YcdnDkFJM

— יוני בן מנחם yoni ben menachem (@yonibmen) April 15, 2023