Mysterious streak of light spotted in sky over Calgary

Photo: Kayden Abel

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is looking into a streak of burning light that was seen in the skies above the city on Tuesday afternoon.

Was it a UFO or maybe a rocket or a meteor?

That's the question a number of Calgarians are asking after a fast-moving ball of fire appeared over the west side of the city just after 5:00 p.m.

Several viewers sent in images and many more have been making the rounds on social media with everyone asking, what was that?

CTV Calgary contacted the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada to see if experts could offer any insight on the strange phenomenon.

Their experts looked into it and on Wednesday afternoon said that the most likely explanation is that an aircraft contrail was being partially lit by the setting sun and that the odd shape was due to the turbulent airflow that comes over the mountains.