A bright object that lit up the skies over Mexico City early Wednesday, initially thought to be a meteorite, was identified by scientists as a bolide, or a fireball.

The object, about 1.5 meters long, disintegrated in the atmosphere and posed no threat to the public.

It sparked awe and quickly became a viral sensation on social media, with memes and jokes circulating, the Associated Press has reported.

Scientists explained that unlike meteorites, which impact Earth, bolides burn up as they descend through the atmosphere.

Written by B.C. Begley