Thailand: a spectacular green fireball lit up the night sky

A bright green fireball streaked across the Thai sky on the night of August 3-4, causing fascination and questions.

The Astronomical Society of Thailand confirms that it was an exceptionally bright meteor, probably composed of nickel.

A celestial phenomenon observed in several provinces

A dazzling green light, identified as an exceptionally large "fireball", surprised residents of several Thai provinces in the early hours of Monday, August 4.

The Thai Astronomical Society has confirmed this celestial event, suggesting that the striking green color of the meteoroid could indicate the presence of nickel.

This spectacle, which was reportedly accompanied by a loud explosion, captivated spectators as it traversed the night sky.

Investigations conducted by the Thai Astronomical Society indicate that the object was a meteoroid of the fireball type, a phenomenon that occurs when celestial bodies enter the Earth's atmosphere.

Why some fireballs are so bright

In general, meteors are observed when small space objects encounter atmospheric friction at an altitude of about 80 to 120 kilometers, burning and creating a luminous trail.

The intensity of the light produced is directly proportional to the size of the object.

A fascinating spectacle relayed on social networks

Videos and images widely shared on social media show that this meteor was particularly large and bright, with a luminosity comparable to that of Venus, which unequivocally places it in the category of #fireballs.

People across Thailand reported a bright fireball with an accompanying loud sound tonight Aug. 3, 2025 around 16:56 (UT).

What do you think it was @planet4589 @Marco_Langbroek ?

????Min Tra. pic.twitter.com/2wqRHQVrny

— Milky Way (@PanatpongJ) August 3, 2025

The colors of meteors explained by science

The distinct green light observed is a key indicator, potentially signifying the metallic composition of the meteor, particularly nickel.

The bright colors of meteors are determined by a combination of factors, including the chemical composition of rock fragments and dust from comets or asteroids, as well as the surrounding air molecules in the atmosphere.

These objects enter the Earth's atmosphere at incredibly high speeds, and the intense friction and combustion cause their constituent atoms to emit light at different wavelengths, resulting in the varied color spectrum observed.

Although a large number of small space objects daily penetrate the Earth's atmosphere and phenomena similar to meteors are regularly observed, this event stands out for its unusual size and color.

A rare event despite the frequency of meteorite falls

It's estimated that 44 to 48.5 tons of meteorite material fall to Earth every day, but most land in remote areas, making the discovery of actual meteorites rare.

The Thai Astronomical Society recalls that meteorite phenomena are entirely normal natural events, which are fully explained by scientific principles.

This spectacular phenomenon reminds us that our atmosphere is regularly traversed by fascinating celestial objects, often invisible... until they illuminate the sky and amaze observers.

See also:

Guide to Astro-Tourism or astronomical tourism in Thailand

Nong Khai Fireball Festival in Thailand

A mysterious fireball spotted in the sky of Thailand

Tourists baffled by a rare meteorological phenomenon off the coast of a Thai island

Source: The Nation Thailand