Global debate over 'meteor' snap

The picture was taken in the sky above Pencoed

A schoolboy whose dramatic picture of a fireball has baffled scientists across the world is appealing for a firm explanation of his remarkable snapshot.

The American space agency Nasa now thinks that Jonathan Burnett's photo could be an unusual trail left by an aeroplane which has reflected the setting sun.

The picture captured global attention when Jonathan emailed it to Nasa, which published it with the theory that he had snapped a rare shot of a meteor burning up.

Now Jonathan, 15, from Pencoed, near Bridgend, south Wales, has been inundated with people suggesting different ideas.

His father Paul said: "We have lost count of the number of people who have emailed us with various explanations of what the picture could be of.

"Some have said it is a jet stream, others say it is light reflecting off the clouds and some say it is a meteor.

"But no-one can offer us a firm explanation to what it really is.

"Nobody seems to know," he added.

Sofa-sized rock

Jonathan was thrust into the spotlight after a bright light in the sky caught his attention when he was taking snaps of his friends.

He managed to take two pictures and emailed them to Nasa, which later published one on its Astronomy Picture Of The Day web page, with the suggestion that it was a sofa-sized rock which exploded into a fireball.

Jonathan Burnett is looking for a firm explanation

Scientists in the UK are are also trying to find an explanation with research being undertaken by the Spaceguard Centre in Knighton, Powys.

"It is quite funny really," said Jonathan's father.

"A 15-year-old schoolboy has baffled scientists around the world with this picture.

"We have had hundreds of emails from people across the world.

"We never thought that a photograph could stir up this much interest.

"But we are all keeping an open mind until someone can tell us firmly what it is.

"And that is all that Jon wants to know too - he wants someone to tell us for once and for all, what it is," he added.