This is the spectacular moment a fireball blazed across the night sky over southern Japan.

Dramatic footage captured the dim horizon suddenly lighting up as a bright meteor streaked overhead in Kumamoto City on August 19.

The filmer said: 'A fireball was seen in the southern sky. Luckily, it was captured on the dashcam.'

Authorities reported that observational instruments stationed at Mount Sakurajima detected air vibrations around the time the fireball was seen.

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.