Social media platforms were buzzing on Sunday as users across South Africa shared their experiences and observations, wondering if they had just witnessed a meteorite. Residents from various regions, including Jeffreys Bay and Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape, as well as parts of the Western Cape, such as George, uploaded photos and videos capturing what appeared to be the passage of a meteorite.
Eyewitnesses also reported hearing a loud explosion, heightening the excitement and intrigue surrounding the event.
A meteorite is a rock that originates from outer space and either falls to the surface of a planet or moon or passes by with a spectacular display. The phenomenon witnessed by many over the weekend seemed to fit this description, sparking speculation about whether the meteorite had ultimately made impact with the ocean.
Social media users further fueled the discussion with claims that the meteorite, which emitted flashes of light as it passed, may have crashed into the sea. Some even claimed to have discovered fragments of the meteorite that had allegedly landed nearby.
NASA had announced five asteroids were expected to pass close to Earth between August 27 and September 1. According to the report, none of the asteroids posed any threat to the planet, offering astronomers a unique opportunity to study these near-Earth objects.
In South Africa, a local publication, the St Francis Chronicle, shared eyewitness accounts from the Oyster Bay area. According to the report, some residents in the area witnessed a flash of blue light. The publication also mentioned a claim from a whaleboat crew member who said the meteorite crashed into the sea, about 200 meters from their boat.
While speculation continues to swirl around what exactly was seen, the event has also sparked some lightheartedness, with many people taking the opportunity to make a wish—just in case the sighting was actually a shooting star.
