A meteor streaked across the night sky over Victoria, Australia, on Sunday, August 10, 2025, causing widespread sightings and a loud sonic boom that rattled homes across the region. The celestial event, which occurred around 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM local time, sparked a flurry of social media activity and was captured by numerous CCTV and dashcam recordings. As Mario Nawfal stated in a tweet, the meteor "lit up the night sky in Victoria like it was auditioning for a Marvel movie."
Residents from Bendigo to Ballarat and beyond reported witnessing the bright fireball, often described as a fiery streak with vivid colors. Many also reported hearing a delayed, thunderous boom, with some likening it to an impact or seismic activity that caused houses to shake. One resident in Bendigo's Strathfieldsaye suburb reportedly called a neighbor, initially believing their homes had exploded.
Astronomers have identified the phenomenon as a "sporadic meteor," meaning it was not part of any known annual meteor shower like the Perseids or Alpha Capricornids. Perry Vlahos, an astronomer, explained that the radiant point for such showers does not rise above Victoria's latitude. Monash University planetary geologist Rachel Kirby and the Desert Fireball Network are actively investigating the event, utilizing public reports to aid their study of Earth's formation.
The widespread nature of the sightings and the audible impact made this a particularly notable event. Experts suggest that fragments of the meteor, potentially resembling black, rocky material, may have reached the ground, possibly landing between Ballarat and Bendigo. Efforts are now underway to triangulate potential fall sites using the collected video footage and eyewitness accounts.
While such large fireballs are relatively rare over populated areas, occurring perhaps one or two times annually in Australia, the scientific community values the opportunity to recover meteorites. The potential recovery of fragments could offer valuable insights, similar to the 1969 Murchison meteorite, which contained organic life-building compounds. The event underscores the continuous interaction between Earth and its cosmic environment.