Superbolides

Superbolides are meteor events of exceptional brightness, marking the brightest end of the fireball spectrum. They are defined informally as extremely luminous meteors whose apparent brightness exceeds that of typical bolides and can be described as producing long-lasting, highly luminous trails and sometimes airbursts.

Definitions vary, but a common threshold is an apparent magnitude around -17 or brighter; some authors describe superbolides as events brighter than the full Moon, or simply as fireballs that produce an energetic atmospheric explosion. The exact criterion is not standardized across the literature.

Superbolides originate from meteoroids typically several centimeters to decimeters in size and entering the atmosphere at high speeds. The resulting light show may include fragmentation, multiple explosions, and a bright persistent train. The energy release can be sufficient to cause sonic booms and ground-level shock effects under favorable conditions.

Most observations come from atmospheric fireball phenomena, recorded by all-sky cameras, video networks, and sometimes satellites or infrasound sensors. Analyses yield trajectory, speed, parent object orbit, and sometimes estimates of energy and potential meteorite fragmentation. In rare cases, fragments survive to reach Earth's surface, enabling meteorite recovery.

There is no single formal definition from a governing body; the term is used descriptively in meteor science to denote events at the extreme end of fireball brightness. Studying superbolides informs understanding of meteoroid populations, atmospheric entry physics, and impact risk assessment.