A bright flash streaked across the sky over southern Vancouver Island on the evening of Dec. 29.

Leaving many perplexed, several residents of Greater Victoria and beyond shared their sightings online shortly after 6:20 p.m.

Hypotheses varied widely, with some suggesting explosions or a damaged transformer. Others speculated it could be a SpaceX shuttle launched earlier that day or Starlink satellites re-entering Earth's atmosphere. Another theory proposed that a bus-sized asteroid briefly entered the planet's orbit.

David Balam, a Canadian astronomer and former University of Victoria researcher, confirmed that anyone who suspected it was a meteor had made the correct assumption.

The sighting, visible from the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington state to Nanaimo Airport, was identified as a bolide.

B次元官网网址淲hat came in [two nights ago] had to be a fairly good chunk. We're talking probably less than one metre in diameter which is enough to light up the sky.B次元官网网址� 

Derived from the ancient Greek word bolus, meaning missile, arrow, or javelin, bolides are exceptionally bright fireballs, distinguishing them from typical meteors observed during seasonal showers.

According to reports from the American Media Society, the bolide which flew over the South Island was brighter than the full moon for more than three seconds.

In addition to the radiant light they emit, Balam noted that a key indicator distinguishing a bolide from a man-made object entering Earth's atmosphere is their speed. 

B次元官网网址淚've seen a couple of satellite burnouts; they usually take about 60 seconds to go from horizon to horizon,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淵ou've got enough time to get out there and see it because the thing is breaking up.B次元官网网址�

Bolides, however, disintegrate within seconds due to their break-neck speed, which can range from 10 to 115 kilometres per second, explained Balam.

B次元官网网址淭he longest bolide I've ever seen was about 10 seconds.B次元官网网址�

Contrary to reports from some internet users, the astronomer mentioned that the likelihood of the meteor reaching the ground is quasi-nil.

B次元官网网址淚 would guess it probably burned up no closer than 60 kilometres from the surface,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f something that size, made it to the ground, believe me, it would be really spectacular.B次元官网网址�

Although phenomena of this sort are not rare, Balam encourages all B.C. residents to report meteor sightings.

B次元官网网址淲e want to know what it is that is intersecting with the biosphere at all times,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e really want to know, from dust grains to planetesimals with diameters of up to 1,000 kilometres, what the heck is coming through (our) system.B次元官网网址�

To do so, observers can visit the American Meteor Society's website at and file a report by clicking the 'Report a Fireball' tab. In doing so, they may also find an answer to their query.

B次元官网网址淲hen something happens and you get lights in the skyB次元官网网址� you should immediately go to the AMS because they've generally got it on the site before you even get your report.B次元官网网址�