‘Green flash’: Homes shake as meteorite hits southern Qld

Keen-eyed stargazers have spotted a meteor fly across Southern Queensland, creating a light show seen from Bundaberg right down to Lismore. 

A meteor has been felt making landfall in the Stanthorpe region. Pic: Higgins Storm Chasing

Keen-eyed stargazers have spotted a meteor fly across Southern Queensland on Monday night, creating a light show seen from Bundaberg right down to Lismore. 

The meteor sighting was part of the Lyrid Shower, an annual celestial event that usually occurs every April.

It is known as one of the oldest recorded meteor showers, with observations dating back approximately 2700 years.

According to NASA, the Lyrids peak Monday night, April 21, and into the morning on Tuesday, April 22. 

Vision of the meteor. Pic: Higgins Storm Chasing

Up to 10 to 20 meteors per hour were typically expected during the peak viewing time in Australia. 

The celestial shower was best observed from the Northern Hemisphere, but could be seen from south of the equator as well. 

Hundreds have reported their sightings to social media, describing the meteor as a “green and blue flash”. 

“Quite a light show Toowoomba way,” one person said. 

“ A mate just turned up saying it was the fastest, brightest, and greenest thing he had ever seen …. he was heading northwest from Lismore,” another described. 

“Wish we had dashcam. It was so bright up here in Bundaberg. I was quite shocked. It was so fast and the colour was amazing!” A third person wrote. 

Others mistook the phenomenon for an earthquake, with some reporting their homes shaking in the Stanthorpe area.

More to come.

Originally published as ‘Green flash’: Homes shake as meteorite hits southern Qld