Post by bigeye155 on Sept 22, 2012 8:39:06 GMT
EXTRAORDINARY FIREBALL BURST SEEN BY IAA OBSERVERS AT DELAMONT COUNTRY PARK
AT 22.54 BST at Delamont Country Park, 1 mile south of Killyleagh in Co. Down,
a group of 12 IAA members spotted an amazing group of
fireballs rising from trees at the eastern horizon to the right of Jupiter as
seen from the main car park. It was immediately thought they might be
fireworks but they continued to rise at a steady pace and fan out
slightly as they approached us from distance with their numbers
increasing and their
brilliant intensity remaining unchanged. We estimated approximately
20-30 fireballs were seen following the same east to west trajectory
each with an estimated brightness between mag. -5 to -7 and each left
a medium trail as they travelled almost directly overhead. No noise
was heard except for the excited astronomers. A larger group of 4 or 5
fireballs were at the front of the group and differences in size were
apparent but each burned with a similar brightness and a distinct
orange hue. We were able to observe the fireballs for 2mins
from the trees in the east to the trees in western horizon and we had
particularly good views in that direction.
As the fireballs approached the western horizon their numbers dwindled,
possibly due to burning up and atmospheric extinction, at least 2 or 3 were
seen disappearing behind trees.
They were travelling at a speed somewhat
faster than the ISS but not as fast as a typical meteorite on entry
into the earths atmosphere.
David Stewart, IAA observing coordinator
AT 22.54 BST at Delamont Country Park, 1 mile south of Killyleagh in Co. Down,
a group of 12 IAA members spotted an amazing group of
fireballs rising from trees at the eastern horizon to the right of Jupiter as
seen from the main car park. It was immediately thought they might be
fireworks but they continued to rise at a steady pace and fan out
slightly as they approached us from distance with their numbers
increasing and their
brilliant intensity remaining unchanged. We estimated approximately
20-30 fireballs were seen following the same east to west trajectory
each with an estimated brightness between mag. -5 to -7 and each left
a medium trail as they travelled almost directly overhead. No noise
was heard except for the excited astronomers. A larger group of 4 or 5
fireballs were at the front of the group and differences in size were
apparent but each burned with a similar brightness and a distinct
orange hue. We were able to observe the fireballs for 2mins
from the trees in the east to the trees in western horizon and we had
particularly good views in that direction.
As the fireballs approached the western horizon their numbers dwindled,
possibly due to burning up and atmospheric extinction, at least 2 or 3 were
seen disappearing behind trees.
They were travelling at a speed somewhat
faster than the ISS but not as fast as a typical meteorite on entry
into the earths atmosphere.
David Stewart, IAA observing coordinator
