Bright light was space junk

THE east coast night sky was ablaze on Saturday with a bright light seen as far south as Eden and north to the Clarence Valley.

Sergeant Don Stewart from Coffs Harbour water police said authorities up and down our seaboard handled many reports from stargazers about 7pm.

What they’d seen was at first thought to be a flare.

Two yachts off Coffs Harbour and residents at Corindi and Minnie Water were among those to call in, Sgt Stewart said.

"They said they’d seen a bright orange light that changed green as it reached the horizon," he said.

"It reportedly resembled a distress flare but it’s since been put down to space junk."

Did you see this stellar event?  Email editorial@coffscoastadvocate.com.au.