Flash dazzles thousands in New Zealand skies #meteor #comet #tohu #flash

Social media erupted tonight as thousands of New Zealanders up and down the North Island were dazzled by a bright flash of light followed by a booming sound. Different viewers reported seeing a variety of colours, in particular�blue and green.

Some speculated that it was a comet, others that it was a meteorite.

Reports have come from social media�as far south as Wellington and as far north as Auckland. The light was seen in Rotorua around 10pm tonight.

Pets also responded to the noice with one woman tweeting:

@WeatherWatchNZ would love to know more about that series of flashes and booms. Our dog went crazy

� Marilyn Baldwin (@marilyn_baldwin) February 11, 2015

The Stuff are reporting that the�MetService said a yellow streak visible on its weather map was “definitely not lightning, most likely a #meteor”. TV presenter John Campbell was witnessed it, tweeting:

Something fast and bright just briefly illuminated the sky west of Auckland. Zipped across the blackness. Extraordinary. � John Campbell (@JohnJCampbell) February 11, 2015

#Meteor Flash of blue light that I at first took for lightning spotted NorEastern sky over Upper Hutt. Strange on a clear starry night. � Marie McNicholas (@MarieMcNicholas) February 11, 2015

Interest in the phenomnon saw traffic to websites such as WeatherWatch.co.nz to explode.

Um, so sorry, so many people going to our site it’s overloaded! Flash of light & sonic booms seen/heard across many regions.

� WeatherWatch.co.nz (@WeatherWatchNZ) February 11, 2015

Others saw the light as a tohu with Vanessa Kururangi saying the light�signaled the�accent of Papa Api Mahuika and Tama Huata to the next realm.