What is a bolide?
A bolide is a particularly bright meteor, often brighter than the planet Venus and sometimes rivaling the brightness of the Moon. These events occur when a meteoroid—an object measuring a few centimeters to several meters—enters Earth’s atmosphere at high velocity and burns up, sometimes leaving a glowing trail or train. Bolides can span the skies in seconds, flash with intense light, and occasionally shatter into fragments. While dazzling, they are usually harmless and do not pose any danger on the ground.
Where and when was it seen?
Witnesses report that a bolide was observed last Sunday evening, lighting up skies across a broad swath of North America. Accounts described a bright fireball visible from parts of Maine, through the Estrie region of Quebec, and along the Côte-Nord coastline. Several observers noted the event occurred poco before 7:00 PM local time, lasting for a few seconds and sometimes leaving behind a faint smoke-like train before fading away in the twilight. The cross-border nature of the sightings underscored how a single meteor event can be visible across large distances when the debris penetrates the atmosphere at the right angle and speed.
What witnesses described
Observers reported a sudden, brilliant streak cutting across the evening sky, sometimes accompanied by a short, lingering glow or a gradually fading trail. Some videos circulated online showing a rapidly moving white or greenish light with a brief tail. While these descriptions vary slightly from place to place, the common thread was a fleeting but striking display of light that drew curious onlookers outdoors just as day faded to night.
Why bolides happen
Bolides occur when a meteoroid enters Earth’s atmosphere at speeds that can exceed 20 kilometers per second. The intense friction heats the object and the surrounding air, producing a brilliant light display. If fragments survive the intense heat, they may reach the ground as meteorites, though most bolides completely disintegrate before they descend. In many cases, the most noticeable aspect for observers is the dazzling flash and the characteristic meteor train left behind for a few seconds after the main event.
What should you do if you saw it?
If you witnessed the bolide, you can help scientists by reporting your sighting. Organizations such as the American Meteor Society collect eyewitness reports and can correlate them with camera and radar data to better understand the event. When reporting, include your location, time of sighting, approximate duration, color, brightness, and any accompanying sounds or smoke trails. If you captured video or stills, save them and consider sharing them with the society or local astronomy clubs to aid analysis.
Looking ahead: next visible meteors
While this Sunday evening bolide was notable for its cross-border visibility, the night sky regularly offers opportunities to observe meteors during annual showers, such as the Lyrids and Orionids. For skywatchers in Estrie, Maine, Côte-Nord, and neighboring regions, keeping an eye on meteor activity in the coming months can provide more chances to witness bright fireballs. Clear, dark skies away from city lights offer the best views, especially around peak evening hours after dusk.
In brief
The recent bolide over the Estrie region—visible from Maine to Côte-Nord—was a striking reminder of the dynamic, ever-changing heavens. It attracted witnesses, sparked curiosity, and reminded amateur astronomers to document and report these fleeting, spectacular events so researchers can continue to study our cosmic neighborhood.
