(meteorobs) Fireball Over California

[Ernie Iverson]

Hi Bob,

The all sky camera and Sentinel automatic meteor detection processor I
operate captured the start of this event low in the western sky on
January 4 at 23:12:58 PST.  The Sentinel system clock is automatically
updated using a GPS receiver, but the "video time" seen in the attached
QuickTime movie is created by a stand alone video time inserter used to
time stamp the backup vcr recordings.  This video time inserter slowly
gains time and is only periodically corrected.  Therefore this source of
time is not used to define a meteor event. The yellow tint seen in the
QuickTime movie is artificially generated by the data reduction software
and used to enhance contrast.  From my location (Carson, CA) the event
lasted just over 2 seconds.  The camera recorded three distinct flashes
(based on the recorded light curve) with visual magnitudes of -9.5,
-7.7, and -10.2 (in order of occurrence).  The last flash (explosion) is
almost certainly greater than -10.2 because it appears to happen behind
a scattered cloud layer and below the skyline defined by the roof of my
neighbor's house. The apex of the gable end of the roof (above the
fireball) is 108.5 degrees west of north (Polaris).  Unfortunately if
this event produced a meteorite, it fell into the Pacific Ocean.

Best Wishes,
Ernie Iverson

-----Original Message-----
From: meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org
[mailto:meteorobs-bounces at meteorobs.org] On Behalf Of Robert Lunsford
Sent: Friday, January 06, 2006 9:13 AM
To: meteorobs at meteorobs.org
Subject: (meteorobs) Fireball Over California

The American Meteor Society has received numerous reports of a
significant 
fireball occurring over central California shortly after 0700 Universal
Time 
on January 5 (2300 Jan 4 local time) 2006. Most of the reports indicate
a 
peak brightness rivaling the full moon. Many witnesses mention a bright 
green or blue flash and several reported fragmentation. Reports have
been 
received from as far north as Redwood City and south to Ontario.

Preliminary analysis indicate this object may have been a member of the 
Eclipticid (Delta Cancrid) meteor shower. This weak shower is active 
year-round from a radiant located nearly opposite that of the sun. It is

best observed near 0100 local time when the radiant lies highest above
the 
horizon. The Eclipticids are known to produce bright fireballs,
especially 
during the months from February through April.

The 2006 AMS fireball table may be viewed at: 
http://www.amsmeteors.org/fireball/fireball_log2006.html

Clear Skies!

Robert Lunsford
American Meteor Society 

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