Strange night sky phenomenon

[Skybird]

Autumn is meteorite season.

The description of the explosion gets my attention. That is a hint that it could have been what in German is called a "Bolide" or "Superbolide". That are meteorites of 1-10cm in diameter that typically create a huge cloud of spraying sparks, making them very visible, and at the end of their survival time in atmosphere explode when totally desintegrating. The light they create can be brighter than that of a full moon. Their tail could last in the sky long after their meteorite has desintegrated (up to over a minute), and sometimes even a thundering sound can be heared. This type of meteorite sometimes is named Feuerball (fireballs). Normal meoteorites to be observed just disappear, without visible explosion and any noise.

Bollides like this are very rare incidents to be observed, most meterorites are not of this type. Unknowing eye witnesses sometimes mistake them with missile shots and the warhead going off in midair.