Chinese satellite re-entry posed no danger but gave US observers ‘spectacular’ light show

The re-entry of what is believed to be a defunct Chinese satellite over US skies last week created a spectacular light show but posed no real danger, according to space experts, who also said the event was unintentional.

A giant fireball that was spotted piercing the atmosphere in a giant fireball above Louisiana at around 10pm local time on Saturday was probably the remains of a Gaojing SuperView 1-02, a high-resolution commercial imaging satellite, they said.

A social media user captured a video of the event, taken while he was outside his Prairieville home with friends. “What is that? “Wow. This was real. Just happened at 22:08 CST Louisiana. Meteor shower,” he posted.