Though hundreds of bolides enter Earth every year, one has to be really lucky to witness such an intense spectacle.

A bright object, initially appearing to be a meteorite, lit up the skies over Mexico’s capital around 3 a.m. Wednesday, stretching over plains, volcanoes, and small towns.

"Due to the great pressure on the object, they begin to flash with a stretching tail and emit light,” said Rodríguez, one of ...