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Meteor suspected as mystery flash lights up Scottish sky Meteor suspected as mystery flash lights up Scottish sky
(about 5 hours later)
LONDON — People across Scotland and northern England have reported seeing a bright light flash across the night sky. LONDON — Scientists say a meteor was the cause of a bright flash of light reported by people across Scotland and northern England.
Police Scotland says the force began receiving calls about 6:55 p.m. (1855 GMT) Monday, with people reporting a loud bang, a sudden blue, green or white light or a fireball in the sky. Police Scotland said the force began receiving calls about 6:55 p.m. Monday, with people reporting a loud bang, a sudden blue, green or white light or a fireball in the sky.
Several drivers caught the sudden flash and streak of light on their dashboard cameras. Several drivers caught the sudden flash and streak of light on their dashboard cameras. Driving instructor Bill Addison said it looked like “a bright, electric blue spark.”
Police say a meteor shower is suspected. Weather forecasting service the Met Office said the incident wasn’t weather-related. “I thought it was a plane coming down at first, but it was moving too fast,” he said.
The defense ministry wouldn’t comment Tuesday on whether the flash was linked to military activity in the area. The U.K. weather forecasting service the Met Office said Tuesday the incident wasn’t weather-related and the U.K. defense ministry wouldn’t comment on whether the flash was linked to military activity in the area.
Steve Owens, manager of the Glasgow Science Centre planetarium, said the likely culprit was a chunk of space rock — “about the size of a tennis ball or maybe even a watermelon” — that was burning up in the atmosphere.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.