Mystery as weather experts probe strange green 'fireball' in Irish skies

Weather experts have been left baffled after a strange 'fire in the sky' was spotted in various parts of Ireland this week, from Co Down to Co Tipperary. 

The green streak across the sky was spotted by hundreds of people on Tuesday evening at around 6pm. They shared their sightings online with a number of weather experts.

People were baffled as to what the strange light might be with theories ranging from a meteor or a falling satellite to proof of aliens visiting earth. 

#Fireball / #meteor spotted over County Down this evening 20 February at 1748. Anyone else spot it? This footage was taken heading south at temple roundabout on the A24 towards Ballynahinch. @BBCnireland @bbcniweather @ArmaghPlanet pic.twitter.com/QGnO5BdvHc

— CountyDownCycling (@CyclingDown) February 20, 2024

The Louth Weather page shared the news and said: "Getting reports about a very bright green fireball at approx 5.55pm. It must have been bright as the sky is not dark yet."

People were quick to reply. One person said: "Yeah I saw it on way to Dublin, it was green as it burned up."

A second added: "Yes, saw it just north of Carrickmacross at Cormoy Lower...looked like a silver ball in flames."

A third said: "Seen it on my way to a football match at first thought I was seeing things was moving so fast a was really bright."

Another mother said: "My 10-year-old said he saw a fire in the sky. I’m going to have to apologise to him now because I didn’t believe him."

Others spotted it in Tipperary, Meath Monaghan, Dublin, Down and Derry. 

The light is as yet unexplained but some savvy social media users suggested it may have been the satellite ERS-2 which had been due to fall to Earth on Tuesday.

Astronomy Ireland is urging people to report the sighting on www.astronomy.ie