Fiery-streaks light up Delhi-NCR sky

New Delhi, Sep 20: Residents across Delhi and several nearby cities in the NCR were taken by surprise early Saturday morning when bright fiery streaks lit up the sky for a few seconds.

Many described it as a rare, almost “once-in-a-lifetime” spectacle, Times of India reported. Videos and photos quickly surfaced on social media, with residents debating whether it was a meteor shower, reentering space debris, or something else entirely.

According to initial assessments, the phenomenon was most likely a bolide, a large meteor that explodes in the atmosphere due to friction and heat, scattering fragments across the sky.

The American Meteor Society has noted that September is an active month for meteor showers, though such isolated fireball-like meteors can also appear outside predicted events. “It lasted only a few seconds but was bright enough to outshine city lights. I’ve never seen anything like it,” a South Delhi resident told TOI. Reports also came in from Aligarh, where locals witnessed the same fiery streak. While astronomers say such events are not uncommon, their sudden appearance over densely populated cities often sparks fascination and wonder.