Bandar Lampung. A mysterious glowing object seen streaking across the skies over Indonesia’s Lampung province was likely space debris from a Chinese rocket re-entering the atmosphere, rather than a meteor or comet, an astronomer said on Sunday.

The object, trailing flames as it moved across the night sky on April 4, was widely recorded by residents and quickly went viral on social media, sparking speculation and concern among the public.

Robiatul Muztaba, a researcher at the Astronomical Observatory Center of the Sumatra Institute of Technology, said analysis of the object’s movement and fragmentation pattern suggests it was space debris, likely from the body of a Chinese Long March CZ-3B rocket.

“It was not a meteor or comet, as its motion and fragmentation do not match those characteristics. It is most likely space debris from a Chinese rocket body,” Robiatul said.

The object is believed to have been part of a rocket launch that burned up upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Initial speculation linked the phenomenon to other recent launches, including missions by the United States, but further analysis pointed more strongly to Chinese rocket debris.

Tracking data from publicly accessible satellite and debris monitoring platforms also supports the conclusion that the object was re-entering space debris rather than a natural celestial body.

Robiatul noted that such events are not uncommon. As space debris re-enters the atmosphere, friction with air generates intense heat, causing the object to burn and produce bright streaks of light that are often mistaken for meteors.

He assured the public that the phenomenon posed no danger, as most debris burns up before reaching the Earth’s surface. Any remaining fragments are typically small and fall into remote areas, likely into the ocean.

Based on trajectory estimates, the debris is believed to have fallen into the Indian Ocean, although the exact location has yet to be confirmed.

The sighting had earlier triggered widespread speculation, with some residents fearing the object could be a missile or military projectile due to the loud rumbling sound accompanying its passage.

Experts said the sound may have been a sonic boom caused by the object’s high speed as it traveled through the atmosphere.

The incident also highlighted gaps in public understanding of astronomical phenomena, with researchers emphasizing the importance of relying on scientific data to prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic.