A friend on ESA’s facebook page sent us this interesting post about the ATV-4 launch:

Credits: Pedro Bettencourt Reis

The ATV-4 launch triggered surprise and amazement in the population of the Atlantic island of São Miguel, Azores. The thruster EPC module destructive atmosphere reentry was visible in the sky to the south of the island. It was possible to observe the module traverse much of the sky until it lit immense and divided into two large balls of fire, releasing a cloud of debris. Many thought that it was a meteorite and the social networks where teeming with people sharing what each had seen. The photo captures the moment right after the breaking of the module. Ponta Delgada, Azores

More pictures on Pedro’s facebook page.