QuickCheck: Were the strange lights spotted over Sarawak actually space debris?

SARAWAKIANS looked up at the night sky on April 7 and saw something that stopped them in their tracks, mysterious lights moving across the heavens in a way that had everyone reaching for their phones.

Photos and videos of the unusual sighting went viral on social media, sparking a flurry of speculation ranging from meteors to satellites to something altogether more dramatic.

Were the strange lights spotted over Sarawak actually space debris?

Verdict:

LIKELY TRUE, UNDER INVESTIGATION

The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry has confirmed receiving early information about an object suspected to be space debris spotted in Sarawak’s airspace on Tuesday (April 7), though a definitive conclusion is still pending further investigation.

The ministry, through its Space Authority Division (BPAngkasa), said in a statement on Thursday (April 9) the sighting came to its attention after videos of the phenomenon went viral online.

“Based on an initial review of the viral video, the object is believed to possibly be part of space debris, however further confirmation is still under investigation,” the ministry.

No official reports of debris being found on land or in waters have been received so far, the ministry added.

Active monitoring is currently being carried out by BPAngkasa in collaboration with the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA).

The public is advised not to touch any suspicious objects and to report them immediately to the authorities by calling the emergency line at 999, or directly to BPAngkasa at 03-8885 8685 or via email at bpadg@mosti.gov.my.

Space debris, also known as orbital debris, refers to defunct human-made objects in space including old satellites, spent rocket stages and fragments from disintegration or collisions that continue to orbit the Earth before eventually re-entering the atmosphere.

When space debris re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere, friction causes it to heat up rapidly, producing a bright streak of light that can be visible from the ground, which is consistent with the lights observed over Sarawak.