A bright meteor illuminated skies over Puerto Rico late on Wednesday, briefly turning night into day and sparking widespread reports from across the island.

The meteor was observed at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time, according to the Sociedad de Astronomía del Caribe (SAC). The organisation confirmed that the event involved a space rock about one to two metres in diameter that entered Earth’s atmosphere and disintegrated upon contact.

Residents reported a sudden flash of light, followed by a bright streak visible for several seconds. The meteor emitted green, blue, and orange hues, colours associated with chemical elements such as magnesium, iron, and sodium, which are common in meteoroids.

SAC said that if any fragments of the object survived atmospheric entry, they likely fell into the sea south of Cabo Rojo, although no impact site or debris has been confirmed.

The organisation noted that the meteor was sporadic and not linked to any known meteor shower. However, October and November are typically active months for Taurid meteors, which are known for producing occasional bright fireballs.

Events of this kind, while rare, are of interest to scientists studying the composition and behaviour of meteoroids as they enter Earth’s atmosphere.