A short, bright burst of light in the night sky that appears and disappears suddenly could be attributed to several phenomena. Here are a few possible explanations:
Meteor: A meteor, also known as a shooting star, is a small celestial object that enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to the friction caused by the air. When a meteor burns up, it can create a brief but intense burst of light as it disintegrates. Meteors are relatively common and can often be seen during meteor showers or as sporadic events.
Fireball: A fireball is a particularly bright and intense meteor that emits a vivid burst of light as it enters the atmosphere. Fireballs are often larger and more spectacular than regular meteors, and they can leave a lingering trail of light or smoke behind them. These events can be quite mesmerizing and are occasionally accompanied by sonic booms.
Satellite Flare: Artificial satellites, particularly those equipped with reflective surfaces or large solar panels, can sometimes produce sudden, bright flashes of light when they reflect sunlight towards the Earth. These flashes, known as satellite flares or Iridium flares (in the case of Iridium communication satellites), can be seen as a brief burst of light in the night sky.
Bolide: A bolide is an extremely bright meteor that explodes in the atmosphere. Similar to fireballs, bolides can produce an intense burst of light and sometimes even a sonic boom. They are often associated with larger meteoroids and can be seen as exceptionally bright streaks or flashes across the sky.
Other Astronomical Events: Occasionally, astronomical events such as supernovae or gamma-ray bursts can create short bursts of intense light in the sky. However, these events are relatively rare and usually require specialized equipment to observe or confirm.
It's important to note that without additional information or observations, it can be challenging to determine the exact cause of the phenomenon you witnessed. Factors such as location, time, duration, and the characteristics of the light can provide further clues to identify the source of the bright burst.