An extremely bright meteor, known as a superbolide, hit the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of 120,000 kilometers per hour on Saturday, May 4. The phenomenon was visible from locations such as Benicàssim, in Castellón, and Olocau, in Valencia.
Impressive Explosion of the Superbolide in the Atmosphere
The impact of the rock, just under a meter in diameter, was captured by weather enthusiasts such as @vicent_ibanyez, from Benicàssim, and Álex Gómez (@curso888) and Juan Gómez, from Valencia. Currently, the phenomenon is being studied by the CSIC Institute of Space Sciences to confirm the possible fall of meteorites.
The video of the impact shows that the superbolide followed an almost vertical trajectory as it entered the atmosphere, causing a spectacular explosion about 30 kilometers above sea level. According to the Bolides and Meteorites Research Network (SPMN), the brightness was so intense that it exceeded that of the full Moon, illuminating the night sky.
Additional Phenomena Associated with the Bolides
Experts and amateurs often observe these meteorite impacts, which are often accompanied by acoustic phenomena, such as explosions. In some cases, fragments of the meteor can be found on the Earth's surface if they manage to resist volatilization during their passage through the atmosphere.
Man-Made Object Ruled Out as Missile
Last Friday, March 29, the Bolides and Meteorites Research Network detected an "artificial bolide" flying over Catalonia, the Balearic Sea and the Valencian Community from France, which finally fell into the sea. Initially it was speculated that it could be a ballistic missile, but the CSIC ruled out that hypothesis, indicating that it was the re-entry of an artificial object into orbit, possibly a satellite or space rocket debris.