This is the breathtaking moment a bright fireball flashed across the sky in Japan.

Footage shows the spectacular shooting star blazing across the horizon at around 1:38 am on August 20.

The filmer said: 'A fireball streaked across the northwestern sky of Kanagawa Prefecture.'

The Japan Meteorological Agency has not yet confirmed whether any fragments reached the ground. However, experts say that fireballs of this kind typically burn up completely before reaching Earth's surface.

Meteors are created when meteoroids enter Earth's atmosphere at high speeds, causing friction that heats the meteoroid and the surrounding air. This process causes the meteoroid to melt and vaporise, creating a bright trail of light.