When and how did the Mayon Volcano video go viral?

It went viral on social media (X, TikTok) in May 2026, accumulating hundreds of millions of views in days. A green meteor passing the volcano followed by a 'glowing object rising' triggered UFO speculation.

How did Avi Loeb analyze it?

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb analyzed the linear trajectory and brightness pattern and concluded it was a satellite glint (sunlight reflecting off an active satellite). He published the analysis on Medium.

About 15,000 active satellites orbit Earth, with ~100 visible across the sky per minute. The linear trajectory and brightness pattern match satellite motion. Mayon's 2.5 km altitude reduces atmospheric attenuation, making satellites appear brighter — also consistent.

If a coincidence, why so striking?

Meteor + satellite + volcano aligning in time is rare but statistically plausible. With ~100 satellites visible per minute, a satellite glint within 0.2 minutes of a meteor isn't improbable.

What's the lesson for PURSUE/UAP analysis?

Most 'viral UAP' clips are mundane natural phenomena. Civilian SNS videos unrelated to official PURSUE files need a science-verification cycle (SNS → expert analysis → debunk).

What is Mayon Volcano?

An active volcano in Albay province, Philippines, famous for its near-perfect cone shape. At the time of the video, it had been erupting for ~140 days.

Philippines Mayon Volcano Meteor + Rising Light Viral Video (2026) — Avi Loeb 'Satellite Glint' Analysis — PURSUE 큐레이션

📅 Overview

In May 2026, a viral video captured a bright green meteor streaking past the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines, followed by a glowing object rising in the sky — sparking widespread "UFO sighting" speculation. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb analyzed the footage and concluded it was a satellite glint (sunlight reflecting off a satellite).

Mayon Volcano + green meteor + satellite glint illustration — **Reproduced Mayon Volcano night scene (illustration)** — Original viral video on SNS; analysis by Avi Loeb (Harvard)
🎨 findlatlng.org AI illustration (fal.ai FLUX 1.1 Pro Ultra)

🔍 Details

Location: Mayon Volcano, Philippines (2.5 km altitude)
Local time: ~22:30
Event: Green meteor passed above the volcano, which had been erupting for ~140 days
'UFO' light: A glowing object rising smoothly behind the volcano right after the meteor

🛂 Avi Loeb Analysis (Harvard, Medium)

The light moved in a straight trajectory — consistent with satellite orbits
~15,000 active satellites orbit Earth; ~100 visible across the sky per minute
At Mayon's 2.5 km altitude, atmospheric attenuation is reduced → satellites appear brighter
Conclusion: A rare but explainable coincidence — a meteor and a sunlight-glinting satellite happening within seconds

🤔 Why It Matters

Demonstrates that the majority of viral "UAP" videos are mundane phenomena
Independent of the 2026 PURSUE official releases — a model case of SNS viral → scientific debunking
Loeb's analysis was published as a Medium article: "The Mysterious Rising Light After a Meteor Strike Near a Volcano in the Philippines is Not Aliens"

📺 Significance

Educational example of UAP vs. misidentified phenomena
Spread UAP-verification methodology awareness in Southeast Asia
Visual appeal of volcano + meteor + UFO drove hundreds of millions of views in days