Ball from the Sky?

[Eastender]

Just wondering if, someone could explain something I saw last night? Around 9.40pm as I was drawing my curtains, something was falling from the sky, it was about the size of a ball and alight with smoke behind it like a tail. At first I thought it was a firework, but it made no sound, and as it was pouring with rain, I would of at least heard something. Although it was raining there was no storm of any kind. I live in the South. Anyone explain please. Thankyou

[Mortartube]

Possibly a meteorite seen thorugh a gap in the clouds or indeed coming to ground.

[keithlbw]

Could have been Ball Lightning.

[styley]

Cattarachts, or however you spell it.

[Mortartube]

what colour did it appear to be? It could also be St Elmos fire.

[CT]

Thought I saw something like that last night too. Around 11.30 or something. Looked like some of rescue flare. except it was over land. Also the colour was yellow. p.s. I'm from the North

[CT]

When I first heard it, I didn't see it go up but it sounded a bit like a firework going up, but louder. Got to the window. Initially thought it was a firework, but it was dropping very slowly like a flare.

[Eastender]

Thanks for all your input. Most probably Ball Lighting.

[Mortartube]

If it was ball lightning, you are lucky to have witnessed a very rare phenomenon. There is a photo at the bottom of this page. http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/d isaster/lightning/physics.html