Bright flashes and sonic booms reported above the North Island, New Zealand

Bright lights and sonic booms in the night sky above North Island, New Zealand have been reported on February 11, 2015.

The event, which illuminated the sky and later shook doors and windows, happened around 22:00 local time (09:00 UTC). Descriptions of the light ranged from white and orange to green and blue.

Video courtesy of Josh Sherborne

Reports came from Auckland to Nelson, and the Coromandel to New Plymouth,  Stuff writes. Even people in Christchurch and on the West Coast witnessed the event.

Retired Auckland University lecturer and meteorite expert Dr Joel Schiff said the observations described by those who witnessed and heard the event point to a piece of stone or metal-like debris entering the Earth's atmosphere.

"If it's seen in various parts of the country it is most likely an object breaking up and burning up as it passes through our atmosphere," he said.

The period of February through March is not known meteor activity, however, the fireball season started this month and will last until April. The best fireball activity occurs during the early evening hours.

Source: Stuff.co.nz

Featured image: Fireball over New Zealand on February 11, 2015. Image credit, screenshot of video by Josh Sherborne​