A GREEN-HUED meteor lit up the sky above Victoria last night, prompting calls to emergency services and astronomical groups.

Reports of the meteor, which appeared at about 9.55pm, came from the state's north-east, suburbs across Melbourne and even towns in South Australia.

Witnesses reported a green, round light moving southwards in the eastern sky, leaving a burnt copper-like trail lasting several seconds.

Perry Vlahos, vice-president of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, said it was a rare but not unusual event. "It happens a number of times a year, but it's just a matter of looking up at the right time."

He said the meteor was most likely space debris the size of a tennis ball swept up in the Earth's atmosphere.