Port Macquarie resident Jeff Clare phoned the Port News to report what he described as a ‘ball of flames’ in the night sky sometime between 7pm and 8pm which moved slowly north before arching in shape and disappearing.

Jeff’s story prompted some lively discussion on Facebook, with several residents also reporting having seen the bright, firey light.

However, according to Mid North Coast Astronomy Group founder and space expert David Reneke, anyone who managed to catch a glimpse of the fireball was extremely lucky.

“We have just gone through an intense period of meteor shower activity,” Mr Reneke explained.

“We have about eight to 10 of these meteor showers every year, but the one that has just passed, and another coming up this month, are two of the best.”

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower passed over the southern hemisphere on July 28 and 29 and Mr Reneke believes the fireball over Port Macquarie is a remnant of that activity. The next meteor shower, the Perseids, has the space community excited with an estimated 50 to 80 meteor sightings expected every hour during the early hours of the morning between August 10 and 12.

“Meteor showers are the left over tails of comets which have passed by Earth.

“These comets spin around the sun and as they do, they shed dust, rocks, dirt and ice which leaves behind an invisible smoke ring around the sun,” Mr Reneke said.

“On some occasions, Earth intercepts this material and that’s when we see greater meteor activity.”

Mr Reneke said meteor fireballs are not common, but can be spectacular if spotted in the night sky.

He describes them as slow moving, projecting bright colours and on some occasions, can make a sound.

“You’ve just got to be in the right place at the right time to see one of these,” he added. “They can be quite startling.”

The Mid North Coast Astronomy Group will be hosting a free viewing night on August 10 between 5.30pm and 8.30pm at North Brother Mountain for interested stargazers. Anyone wanting to attend can contact David on 0400 636 363.