The night sky over Delhi-NCR turned into a live cosmic theatre on Friday when a rare, bright meteor blazed across the heavens, breaking apart spectacularly and leaving millions of residents stunned.
The fiery celestial streak was witnessed across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and even as far as Aligarh. For a few dazzling seconds, it outshone the city lights and sent social media into a frenzy with hashtags like #DelhiMeteor and #SpaceSpectacle trending nationwide.
A Shooting Star Like Never Before
Videos posted online show a brilliant fireball racing through the night sky before bursting into multiple glowing fragments. Many called it “a shooting star explosion” or “once-in-a-lifetime cosmic fireworks.”
Astronomers later confirmed the event was most likely a bolide meteor — a rare space rock that bursts mid-air due to friction and heat after entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Why It Matters
While meteors frequently pass through Earth’s atmosphere, such a bright, widely visible event is rare. Experts assured the public there was no threat or damage expected, as most meteors disintegrate before reaching the ground.
September is an active month for meteor showers, but isolated, fireball-like meteors can appear at any time. Friday night’s spectacle was one of the brightest ever recorded over Delhi-NCR.
Public Reaction
Residents described the moment as surreal — a glowing object tearing through the sky with a faint rumble in the background. “It felt like a movie scene,” one eyewitness wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
A Reminder of Our Cosmic Neighbours
The meteor served as a reminder of Earth’s constant interaction with the cosmos. Skywatchers and astronomy enthusiasts hailed it as a “celestial gift” for Delhiites.
Whether you were lucky enough to see it live or caught it on video, Friday night’s meteor was a rare cosmic moment bringing science, wonder, and community together under the stars.
