bolide

A bolide is a very bright and large meteor that explodes in the Earth's atmosphere, often creating an impressive visual display and sometimes producing sounds like thunder. Unlike smaller meteors that burn up quickly, bolides are caused by sizable space rocks entering our atmosphere at high speeds, resulting in a sudden, intense flash of light and a loud explosion. These events can be seen from the ground and sometimes lead to meteorites reaching the Earth's surface if they survive the passage through the atmosphere. Bolides are fascinating indicators of space debris interacting with our planet.