In the early hours of Wednesday, a dazzling object streaked across the sky over Mexico City, capturing the attention of residents and lighting up the night just after 3 a.m. The celestial phenomenon, initially thought to be a meteorite, soared through the sky, spanning over the expansive plains, majestic volcanoes, and picturesque small towns of Mexico.
Social media quickly buzzed with videos depicting a fiery ball darting through the heavens before it vanished in a spectacular burst above Mexico’s capital. The captivating sight inspired a wave of memes and humorous posts circulating across platforms. One user humorously remarked, “No, the meteorite that exploded last night isn’t an excuse to talk to your ex,” shared alongside a GIF of dinosaurs amid a meteor shower.
As images of the luminous event, humorously edited with cartoonish elements and satirical political references, spread online, experts were quick to clarify the true nature of the phenomenon. Scientists throughout Mexico indicated that the flying object was not a meteorite but a bolide. As explained by NASA, bolides are “exceptionally bright meteors,” distinguishable by their sparkling visibility over extensive areas.
Dr. Mario Rodríguez, a specialist in space sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, provided further insight, describing the event as an encounter with a bolide or meteoroid—a piece of space rock on its fiery descent to Earth. Such bolides ignite due to intense atmospheric pressure, creating a radiant glow with a discernible tail, he noted.
Analyzing the videos that captivated countless Mexicans, Rodríguez highlighted that unlike meteorites, which make impact, bolides disintegrate in the atmosphere, posing no danger to the population. The meteoroid observed that morning was approximately 1.5 meters, or 5 feet, in length, affirming no threat to the public.