REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CIREBON -- The violent impact phenomenon that briefly shook residents in Kuningan and Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Sunday (6/10/2025) after the Maghrib was confirmed to have originated from a meteor that passed in the local sky.
Lead Researcher at National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Space Research Center, Prof Thomas Djamaluddin, said that based on analysis of a number of data and citizen testimonies, the event was the result of a fairly large meteor entering the Earth's atmosphere.
Among the analyzes revealed are the presence of an audible bang in the Kuningan area and Cirebon Regency, the detection of a vibration by BMKG Cirebon (ACJM station) at 18.39.12 WIB, and the presence of visible fireballs and CCTV footage around 18.35 hours.
“I conclude that it is a fairly large meteor that passed into the area of Kuningan—Cirebon Regency from a southwest direction around 18.35-18.39,” Thomas said when contacted by Republika on Monday (6/10/2025).
He added that the meteor began entering the lower layers of the atmosphere at around 18.35 pm and generated shock waves that were audible as a thumping sound. This phenomenon was also recorded by the BMKG seismic sensor in Cirebon.
“When entering the lower atmosphere, it generates a shock wave in the form of a thumping sound and was detected by BMKG Cirebon at 18.39.12 WIB,” he said.
According to Thomas, the meteor did not fall on land, but is thought to have landed in the Java Sea after crossing the airspace over Cirebon and Kuningan. "The meteor fell in the Java Sea," he said.
Previously, residents in several areas in eastern West Java reported hearing a loud boom accompanied by a bright light in the sky on Sunday night. This phenomenon caused concern among the public, until it was finally confirmed as a natural astronomical event.
The event spread rapidly on social media. Information about the fireball, which was said to be a meteor, was accompanied by photos and videos taken by residents who witnessed the event.
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