People in the US caught the moment the parts of a Chinese rocket lit up the skies over Utah and California.

Rockets heading into space normally lose parts that fall back to Earth but they usually burn up when they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.

The Chinese CZ-7, which re-entered the atmosphere on Wednesday night, left people stunned with many sharing photos and videos of the bright object online.

A group of people in Utah noticed the bright flash of light in the night sky.

"I didn't know what I was seeing because I've never seen space debris. I didn't feel afraid. I was excited. I was in awe at the science of space,'' said Matt Holt.