Watch: Meteor above Aberdeenshire caught on camera
A “huge” white flash and even the sound of an explosion seen and heard across Scotland last night have got everyone talking on social media.
"a meteor burning up and exploding in the atmosphere" is what's now believed to be behind reports of a “huge” white flash and even the sound of an explosion seen and heard across Scotland last night have got everyone talking on social media.
The sighting caused people from Inverness to Aberdeen to dial 999, and this morning there’s speculation about whether it was a meteor burning up and exploding in the atmosphere.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland added: "Another caller said there was a very loud bang and others said the house shook.
"We have checked and been told it was likely to be a meteor shower."
Several people were able to see it burn up in the atmosphere above Perthshire.
Jenni Morrison was driving home from work on the A944 from Westhill to Alford, Aberdeenshire, at 6.45pm when she spotted the fireball light up the sky.
Speaking to Sky News she said: "I thought what the hell was that! My son said it was a meteorite.
"It was like a light switch going on and off. Very surreal moment.
"I knew it wasn't lightning and it was kind of scary and amazing at the same time."
Twitter was abuzz with speculation as to what the bright white streak could have been.
Some suggested it was an astronomical event, others thought military activity caused the display, and there was also a far-fetched theory that British astronaut Tim Peake could have been involved.
Steve Thomson tweeted: "Big white flash and some sort of meteor in the night sky. Looked really close as well. #endoftheworld #armageddon."
The Ministry of Defence has said it will not discuss whether the spectacle was connected to any ongoing operations in the area.
Footage courtesy of: Jenni Morrison / YouTube Dee Scholes / Facebook @ObiWanMacJock / Twitter Bill Addison / Facebook