Footage of the small object taken near the A24 towards Ballynahinch was circulated on social media, with it fizzling out as it gained speed. Many people online claimed it was a meteor.
Andrew Marshall from the Armagh Observatory said this was likely the case.
“From the video, it looks to me like a meteor. I don’t know of any satellites that have gone down, so I would say this is the case,” he said.
“I would put it in the range of no more than a metre or two metres in diameter. Sadly, there is no way to tell from just the video.”
Watch: Fireball Meteor spotted over County Down
According to Nasa, a meteor is what happens when a meteoroid — a small piece of an asteroid or comet — burns up upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, creating a streak of light in the sky.
If it hits the ground, it’s a meteorite. Northern Ireland wasn’t the only place the UFO was seen, as many people commented under a video published by County Down Cycling that they had also spotted it in Scotland.
“It’s not moving the fastest in the sky, so it’s more than likely an asteroid that’s come from the main belt between Mars and Jupiter, so Jupiter has kicked it out from its orbit with it’s gravity and it’s ended up here,” added Mr Marshall as he explained the object’s possible origins.
He also said that, despite the excitement, asteroids or meteors aren’t exactly a rare sight. “We see asteroids all the time, they typically range around 10-20 cm, but something like this you would see around every three to four months.”
Andrew Marshall from the Armagh Observatory said it was probably a meteor
It’s not the first time a meteor has appeared in Co Down.
In 2021, a “fireball” was spotted in the same area falling from the sky.
A green fireball also made headlines last January after it was captured on video across Belfast and Co Down, with sightings also noted in England and Scotland. The exact origins were never determined.
Mr Marshall said “it’s just a coincidence” that it’s happened again above the same area.
“Towards this area you’re getting less light pollution, then as you head towards the Irish Sea, things are more clear. But there is no reason why this area is more common for seeing them,” the expert said.
“The reason it’s fizzling out is that it’s getting incredibly hot as it’s entering Earth’s atmosphere, it will then break up into 5cm-sized pebbles which will be scattered about.”
Mr Marshall also said people may get lucky and spot the fallen fragments, as the pebbles are very different from regular rocks.
“If you know what you’re looking for, they’re very distinct. This video looks like it’s headed to the Downpatrick area, and there are things people can look out for. The pebbles are very different to typical rocks, they’re almost glassy in texture, and really solid. No cavities or anything, it’ll be a really solid black glassy pebble.”
Dr. Thomas Hughes is a UK-based scientist and science communicator who makes complex topics accessible to readers. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
