A blue meteor flying across the night sky over Spain and Portugal early Sunday morning captivated millions of people, leaving them in awe of the natural science phenomenon. Social media users captured stunning pictures and videos of the event, which occurred at 12:46 a.m. The European Space Agency (ESA) Operations confirmed that the blue meteor was actually a small piece of a comet traveling at a speed of 45 kilometers per second, burning up over the Atlantic Ocean at an altitude of 60 kilometers above the surface.
Despite the spectacular sight, the likelihood of finding any meteorites from the event was deemed very low by the ESA Operations. The color of the meteor was explained by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as likely being due to magnesium, with the specific color of a meteor depending on whether metal atom emissions or air plasma emissions dominate. The discovery of the comet piece highlights the unique phenomenon of short-period comets originating from the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune’s orbit and becoming active comets due to gravitational interactions with the outer planets.
The rare occurrence left many on social media marveling at the sight, with some referring to it as a once in a lifetime experience. One social media user even humorously compared the phenomenon to Optimus Prime, emphasizing the scale of the event in the eyes of viewers. This event reminded people of the beauty and wonder of the natural world, drawing attention to the fascinating interactions and processes that occur in space. The meteor sighting served as a reminder of the vastness and mystery of the universe, sparking curiosity and excitement among those who witnessed the fleeting yet impactful spectacle.
