Meteorite crossed Colombian skies and caused alarm on social media.

On the night of Wednesday, July 30, 2025, a luminous phenomenon crossed the Colombian sky, generating astonishment and multiple reactions among citizens. Videos recorded by residents of different regions of the country showed a bright light streaking through the night sky. On social media, particularly on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), dozens of users shared visual recordings of the event, which some described as the passage of a meteorite.

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The phenomenon was documented by the @ColombiaOscura_ account, which reported that the light was visible in cities such as Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Girón, Floridablanca, Villavicencio, and Cúcuta. “Around 11:00 pm on July 30, a green light crossed the sky over northern Santander,” reported Noticias Cúcuta 75. According to the outlet, “the phenomenon was visible for approximately ten seconds.” Witnesses recorded the object's passage, whose luminous intensity illuminated the sky for a few moments. In the audio clips accompanying some of the published videos, citizens' reactions can be heard, as they observe the event in amazement and describe it as unusual. Despite the widespread dissemination of the recordings, no official entity had commented on the matter as of the morning of July 31.

The viralization of the phenomenon on social media wasn't limited to Colombia. Users in Chile and Brazil also reported the presence of a similar light in the sky, increasing interest and debate about the exact nature of the event. "Skepticism and doubts arose among internet users due to the lack of technical information confirming whether it was indeed a meteorite," users of the platform indicated.

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Without official confirmation, uncertainty increases

The lack of official data from astronomical or government institutions keeps the debate about the phenomenon's origin open. Although various digital accounts and local media outlets have preliminarily identified it as a meteorite, no statement has yet been issued by the Colombian Geological Service, the Air Force, or the Colombian Astronomy Association.

"The phenomenon remains technically unconfirmed, leaving room for speculation and the proliferation of theories on social media," said one of the users who shared the video online.

As the conversation unfolds on digital platforms, some internet users have linked this event to other space objects currently monitored by international agencies. In particular, the mention of asteroid 2024 YR4 has generated concern, as its trajectory has been the focus of attention by global scientific institutions.

NASA and astronomers continue monitoring asteroid 2024 YR4

In parallel with the sighting of the luminous object in Colombia, the scientific community has intensified its surveillance of asteroid 2024 YR4, a celestial body classified by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Apollo asteroid group. This type of asteroid is characterized by orbits that cross Earth's trajectory, making them objects that require constant monitoring.

Planetary geologist and astrobiologist David Tovar, co-director of the planetary sciences and astrobiology group at the National University of Colombia, explained in an interview with Blu Radio that "monitoring these objects is a priority, since their behavior can vary over time due to multiple gravitational factors."

Tovar warned about the role social media plays in disinformation. “Social media often amplifies fear with inaccurate or exaggerated information,” the expert stated. He also recommended consulting only verified scientific sources, such as NASA or the European Space Agency. “The best defense against disinformation is critical thinking and verifying sources before sharing any information,” he added.

Regarding 2024 YR4, the scientific community has determined that there is a 98% chance that it will not impact Earth. However, the remaining 2% is reason enough to maintain alertness. Potentially affected regions in the event of a collision include parts of Colombia, India, Africa, and the Atlantic Ocean.

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Since its detection, the asteroid has been the subject of detailed analysis by international observatories, which have set two key dates for monitoring it. The first will be in 2028, when the James Webb Space Telescope will make new observations during the object's next approach to Earth. The second, December 2032, has been earmarked as a critical date to refine calculations regarding its trajectory and risk level.

Tovar also recalled the experience of the NASA Dart (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, which successfully altered the trajectory of an asteroid through the impact of a spacecraft. "This precedent demonstrates that, although planning and execution require time and resources, viable tools exist to alter the course of space objects that pose a real threat," he indicated.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 continues to be monitored, as scientists evaluate various planetary defense scenarios and strategies that could be implemented if a specific threat is detected in the coming years.

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