THIS fiery streak in the sky amazed Perth beachgoers at sunset as a suspected meteor plunged into the ocean off the WA coast. PerthNow reader Gavin Trought snapped the 'fire in the sky' as it appeared over Cottesloe, Perth, just before sunset on Friday, with remnants of the phenomenon still visible in the sky this afternoon.
"The weird streak in the sky as seen from Cottesloe last night. I noticed it just before sunset," he told us.
Perth journalist Pip Moir also posted the photo she took at Cottesloe Beach to Twitter shortly after 6pm as puzzled onlookers debated what caused the colourful phenomena.
Daniel Jongue, manager at The Naked Fig Cafe, said he noticed "something on the horizon'' just before sunset.
He said the fiery trail took about 20 minutes to dissipate.
"It looked like vapour. It was red, orange and yellow and quite beautiful,'' he said.
A spokesman for the Bureau of Meteorology said the weather bureau's radar would not pick up a fast moving object like a meteor.
Perth Observatory and Astronomy WA could not be reached for comment.
What a spectacular site that must have been to witness- ooooh I wish I was there!!!
I hadn't heard anything about this- not even on facebook. Strange!
Thanks for posting this Nikolas.
I saw this and took photo's of it.
To me it just looked like an expanding con-trail.
Unless anyone comes forward saying they actually saw the meteor, I remain sceptical.
I saw this and took photo's of it.
To me it just looked like an expanding con-trail.
Unless anyone comes forward saying they actually saw the meteor, I remain sceptical.
Reading the article again, one has to be very sceptical
It said it was first noticed at Sunset on Friday evening, and one witness said it disapeared in about twenty minutes,But then another said it was still visible this afternoon Monday
Cheers
A con-trail for sure, especially given the direction of movement. Atmospheric conditions in Perth at present are perfect for this effect and predicted to be stable for several more days of beautiful, fine, mid-winter weather. I wouldn't be surprised if we have another meteor report tonight!
I saw this and took photo's of it.
To me it just looked like an expanding con-trail.
Unless anyone comes forward saying they actually saw the meteor, I remain sceptical.
A contrail for sure. Just because contrails are a bit rare in Perth - but they do happen - no one ever thinks of that. It was certainly my first thought when I saw it in the Sunday rag the following morning. But I'm glad you saw it, Simon, because if I get asked about it I'll be able to say and experienced observer said so!
Strange!
