File photo
The bright object was seen to shoot across the atmosphere before disappearing just seconds later behind the clouds.
Hundreds of people witnessed the phenomenon at around 11.10pm on Monday night. Experts have now confirmed it was a golf ball sized meteor, which exploded above South Wales and caused a sonic boom, shaking windows and setting off car alarms.
The rare sight caused alarm on Twitter with Manchester residents tweeting their amazement at the incident.
Damien Sawyer wrote that it appeared to be a 'huge bright light streaking past the moon' and asked GMP if any other sightings had been reported.
The 26-year-old, who works as a resource analyst for the Co-operative Bank, spotted it from the bedroom window of his home in Gee Cross, Hyde.
Comment: Yes, the one in March this year was even more spectacular:
Meteor Lights up the Sky Across England
They keep trying to play this phenomenon down but it keeps getting more and more noticeable.