Marseille, France – A massive fireball streaked across the skies off the coast of Marseille at 19:19:29 UTC (21:19 CET) on 05 April 2026, captivating observers along the Mediterranean.

The bright bolide was widely recorded by multiple observation stations and seen from the coasts of both France and Spain.

Observers reported that the rock fragmented in midair, producing a series of bright flashes that illuminated the surrounding sky. The resulting cloud of small debris stretched across the horizon, creating a striking visual display.

Scientists noted that the fireball’s absolute magnitude was comparable to the brightness of the Moon. Tracking data indicates it originated from the Virgo complex and was also captured by monitoring stations in Provence.

Even as the event unfolded during twilight, the fireball remained exceptionally vivid, with its ionized trail clearly visible alongside the star Arturo of Boötes. The combination of fragmentation, bright flashes, and long-lasting trail made the meteor one of the most spectacular observed in recent years.

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