A quick flash of light in the sky can be caused by various natural or artificial phenomena. Here are a few possibilities:
Meteor or Fireball: A meteoroid entering Earth's atmosphere can produce a bright flash of light as it burns up. These are often referred to as shooting stars. If the meteoroid is particularly large or bright, it is called a fireball.
Lightning: Lightning is a sudden discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. It can create intense flashes of light that illuminate the sky. However, lightning is usually accompanied by thunder, so if you didn't hear any thunder, it's less likely to be lightning.
Satellite Flare: Satellites in low Earth orbit can sometimes reflect sunlight and create a momentary flash of light visible from the ground. These events are known as satellite flares and can be quite bright.
Artificial Light Source: Sometimes, a flash of light in the sky could be due to human activity, such as fireworks, explosions, or even aircraft with bright navigation lights. If the flash was brief and localized, it could be related to a specific event or activity in your vicinity.
Optical Illusion or Perception: Our eyes and brain can sometimes play tricks on us, causing us to perceive brief flashes of light or other visual phenomena. These can be attributed to a variety of factors, including fatigue, eye strain, or even a random firing of neurons in the visual system.
Without more specific information about the characteristics of the flash of light you observed, it is challenging to determine the exact cause. If the event was significant and caught the attention of many people, it may be covered in local news or reported by other observers, which could provide more insight into its nature.