New Delhi: Residents of Delhi and neighbouring cities, including the entire National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed a rare celestial event on Friday evening as a bright meteor streaked across the night sky, captivating thousands. The fiery object was visible across Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and even as far as Aligarh, prompting a flurry of social media posts.
Videos shared online showed the meteo racing through the sky before breaking apart in a shower of glowing fragments. Many described the sudden flash as resembling a “shooting star explosion,” briefly outshining the city lights and offering a dramatic glimpse of the cosmos, just ahead of the weekend.
A fiery streak lit up the night sky over #DelhiNCR, spotted across #Ghaziabad, #Delhi, #Gurugram and even #Aligarh. Videos of the dazzling trail breaking mid-air have gone viral, with many debating if it was a #meteor or space debris. However, accurate details on this are yet to… pic.twitter.com/qYzKD64qhY
— Harsh Trivedi (@harshtrivediii) September 20, 2025
Astronomers identify it as bolide
Notably, Astronomers have identified the phenomenon as a bolide, a large meteor that explodes on entering the Earth’s atmosphere due to intense friction and heat. Unlike typical meteors, bolides can fragment into multiple glowing pieces, producing a prolonged and highly visible spectacle.
Officials and experts have reassured the public that the meteor posed no risk. It disintegrated at a high altitude, leaving no chance of ground impact. The event’s visibility across such a wide region is unusual even during September, a month known for active meteor showers.
Faint rumbling sound following fiery streaks
Witnesses reported faint rumbling sounds following the flash, while others described a sense of awe as the meteor split and illuminated the night sky. The spectacle quickly gained traction on social media, with users sharing footage and comparing the glowing arc to cinematic scenes.
Although lasting only a few seconds, the meteor has left a lasting impression on those who saw it. Astronomers said that while most meteors burn up unnoticed, rare bolides like this offer a vivid reminder of the dynamic forces constantly at work in space.