MEXICO CITY (AP) In the early hours of Wednesday, around 3:00 a.m., a dazzling object illuminated the skies over Mexicos bustling capital, leaving many inhabitants in awe. Initially perceived as a meteorite, the bright spectacle was visible not only over Mexico City but also across the plains, volcanoes, and small towns scattered throughout the region.

Videos capturing the magnificent fireball soaring through the night sky quickly surfaced on social media, captivating viewers and quickly becoming a source of amusement and creativity online. Memes depicting the event began circulating, with one user humorously writing on X, No, the meteorite that exploded last night isn't an excuse to talk to your ex, accompanied by a gif of dinosaurs casually walking through a meteor shower.

As the situation unfolded, social media was flooded with creatively edited images of the bright object, featuring cartoon characters and political commentary that delighted many while poking fun at the excitement surrounding the event.

However, scientists from various institutions across Mexico were quick to clarify that the radiant object was not a meteorite, as many had suggested. Instead, it was identified as a bolide, a term defined by NASA to refer to exceptionally bright meteors that can be observed over extensive areas. Such phenomena are notably brighter than typical meteor showers.

Dr. Mario Rodrguez, a prominent space science expert at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, elaborated further on the nature of the object. He explained that it could also be classified as a meteoroid, which is essentially a fragment of a meteor. Bolides, like the one that streaked across the Mexican sky on Wednesday, ignite as they enter the Earth's atmosphere, creating spectacular displays.

As the object descends, the pressure causes it to light up, producing a brilliant tail and emitting a significant amount of light, Dr. Rodrguez remarked. He emphasized that unlike meteorites, which survive their journey and land on Earth, bolides disintegrate completely in the atmosphere, leading to their dazzling light show without any impact on the ground.

This particular meteoroid was estimated to be around five feet in length, reassuringly posing no danger to the public or any properties below. As scientists continue to analyze videos and data related to the event, it remains a topic of fascination for many Mexicans, inviting both wonder and amusement.

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Robert Jackson