Sequence of images taken by Robert Mikaelyan, showing the meteor breaking up above Holland.
The twilight sky in parts of northern Europe was illuminated for a few brief seconds on Oct. 13 by an exploding fireball that startled residents across Germany and the Netherlands.
The disintegrating meteor created a sonic boom followed by low rumbles that rattled windows across the region.
Amateur photographer Robert Mikaelyan had planned to snap photos of an old Dutch sugar factory in the city of Groningen when the fireball caught his attention.
He has the presence of mind to capture several remarkable images of the meteor as it broke into pieces while sweeping low across the horizon.
"Indeed it was a huge event," said Theo Jurriens, of the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute at the University of Groningen.
He said a fireball of such size and brightness is likely to be seen somewhere in the world only once every 20 to 30 years.
Photos: Robert Mikaelyan