A "fireball as bright as the moon" has been spotted in the sky above Ireland, according to the Irish Astronomical Association and a number of eye witness reports.

The Irish Astronomical Association says it was reported by member who works at the Met Office in County Antrim this evening. There have also been a number of sightings along the east coast.

It is thought it could be part of an asteroid burning up in the Earth's atmosphere.

A number of other people also reported seeing the fireball at around half-past five this evening.

The BBC have said their reporter, Declan Lawn, spotted the fireball in the sky this evening while in south Belfast. Lawn described the object as "a very bright pinpoint with quite a long tail behind it".

"It took about six seconds to pass over the pitch, going south to north," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

"We all assumed it was a firework that hadn't properly gone off, because there was no noise."