(meteorobs) Lyrid Fireball - 1975

[Bertunit at aol.com]

One of the most dramatic fireballs I have ever witnessed was a Lyrid on
max nite in 1975, it's terminal burst lit up the whole northern sky as it
turned several different colors exploding at the end in a green flash, with
an 18 second train.  The Lyrids are capable of fantastic fireballs.

I can honestly say that the initial fireballs in my long meteor observing 
career had everything to do with the interest I have in meteor watching
as a whole.  From the start of my observing - the 1974 Orionids, I had
a -14 Geminid, -5.5 Lyrid, -5.5 Perseid, -4 Orionid, and -5 Leonid that first
13 months of observing, a feat never repeated in 31 years.

Seemed to me there were more fireballs years ago, than I observe now.

And the Eta Aquarids, never have had one brighter than a -2.5 grazer
in 1977.  I still try to beat this record, perhaps this year.  It is one the 
few showers I go long into morning twilight trying to get a good fireball
from.  

Regards,

Bert Matous
Overland Park KS