JAPAN — A dazzling bright blue fireball lit up the night sky over Kyushu and Shikoku on August 19 at 11:08 p.m. (JST), sparking awe across southern Japan.

According to experts, the meteor released an estimated 1.6 kilotons of energy before likely disintegrating around 18 kilometers above the Pacific Ocean. The spectacle was captured on camera at Fukuoka Airport, showing a vivid flash that briefly illuminated the sky.

No damage has been reported, and scientists note that such fireballs, while dramatic, are not uncommon as space debris and small asteroids burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.

Residents across the region shared sightings on social media, describing the meteor as “brighter than the moon” and “a once-in-a-lifetime view.”