A meteor lit up skies along much of the NSW east coast and the ACT on Thursday night, fascinating onlookers.<\/p>\n
Footage captured from a surf camera overlooking Maroubra Beach in Sydney\u2019s east shows the water suddenly illuminated by an intense burst of light at about 6.30pm.<\/p>\n
Witnesses described the light as briefly turning the ocean \u201celectric blue,\u201d and smoke-like trails lingered in the sky moments later.<\/p>\n
Over on Sydney\u2019s Northern Beaches, a golfer who had set up a camera to film his swing was shown up by the spectacular fireball that streaked across the night in front of him. <\/p>\n
The meteor also made an appearance right on kick-off for the Australia Cup Qualifier between Queanbeyan City and Canberra Croatia in Canberra.<\/p>\n
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Onlookers as far inland as Mudgee, Bathurst and Junee in NSW\u2019s Central Tablelands and Riverina regions also enjoyed the spectacle, while some on social media reported seeing the meteor as far north as southeast Queensland.<\/p>\n
The stunning sight has now been confirmed as a meteor, with ANU astrophysicist Dr Brad Tucker telling nine.com.au<\/a>, \u201cit could 30 to 50 centimetres in size based on the brightness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe greenish colour indicates it was a meteor, usually with iron and nickel. The bright flash midway means it is likely fragmented or broke apart,\u201d Dr Tucker said.<\/p>\n The chemical composition of the rock is what determines its colour, with nickel tending to appear green, while a high calcium content would appear as purple and a high iron content would show as yellow.<\/p>\n The larger or faster moving the meteor, the brighter it appears from earth.<\/p>\n Social media quickly filled with reports of residents across Sydney spotting the phenomenon.<\/p>\n NSW Police said they had investigated and reports. <\/p>\n \u201cIt appears to be a metrological event. No reports of any injuries or damage to property,\u201d a spokesperson told news.com.au. <\/p>\n